Saragh Yugur in China

The Saragh Yugur have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Tibetan)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Turkish half of the Yugur nationality consists of the Saragh Yugur, also known as Yaofuer. They live in a separate area from the Enger Yugur.

Whereas the Enger Yugur speak a Mongolian language, the Saragh Yugur speak a completely different language, a member of the Turkic language family. The two Yugur groups do not often contact each other, but when they do meet, they must use Mandarin Chinese to communicate. One expert notes that Saragh Yugur "still preserves many features of the language of medieval Turkic literature." Because they do not have their own script, they commonly use Chinese script for writing.

The Tibetans controlled the Yugur region until the Tangut state of Xixia conquered them in 1028. The Mongols, in turn, annihilated the Tanguts in the early 1200s. The Chinese finally assumed control of the area during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). 300,000 Yugurs lived in China at that time, most of whom were living outside the Great Wall at Jiayuguan, farther to the west of their present location. Today, the Uygurs represents their descendants, and no one calls them the Yugur. They probably belong to the Uygurs group in Xinjiang, who also speak a Turkic language. A small number of people migrated back inside the wall to avoid the conflict between the Turfan and Hami rulers. China believes them to be the Yugur's ancestors.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Saragh Yugur live in yak-hair yurts. A visitor who comes by horseback should leave his whip, rifle, ammunition, and all meat outside the yurt. The Yugur believe the god of hair dresses in red and rides a reddish horse, so visitors dressed in red are not allowed inside a Yugur home.

The Yugurs drink heavily. They drink strong alcohol after each evening. Revelry often goes far into the next morning. They do not consider themselves to be good hosts unless their guests get drunk.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Saragh Yugur adhere to a mixture of Tibetan Buddhism and shamanism. Each family clan has a shaman who consults the spirit world for them.

This group had no knowledge whatsoever of Christianity until 1997, when about 15 Saragh Yugur believed in Christ after watching the JESUS Film in Mandarin. This number grew to around 50 believers by May 2000. The authorities strongly oppose the introduction of Christianity. During the 1980s and early 1990s, one mission agency sent workers several times to distribute gospel literature among the Yugur, but on every occasion the authorities arrested workers before they could complete their task.


What Are Their Needs?

Like people everywhere, the Saragh Yugur people need to allow the loving Savior to direct their lives. They need his forgiveness for sin.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.

Pray for loving, Holy Spirit led workers to go to them.

Pray for the Lord to raise up persons of peace to welcome Christ's ambassadors.

Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Yugur, Saragh in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Yugur, Saragh
People Name in Country Yugur, Saragh
Natural Name Saragh Yugur
Pronunciation Sah-rahg Yoo-gur
Alternate Names Saragh; Saraygh; Sari Yogur; Sarig; Uighur, Yellow; West Yugur; Ya Lu; Yaofuer; Yellow Uighur; Yohur; Yuku
Population this Country 12,000
Population all Countries 12,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18736
ROP3 Code 114371
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 10,000 Saragh (Western) Yugur live in the western part of the Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, in the narrow northern corridor of Gansu Province. The nearest town to the Saragh Yugur is Zhangye. Other Saragh Yugur communities are located in the Dahe and Minghua districts, and in the Huangnibao area near Jiuquan City in western Gansu.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 10,000 Saragh (Western) Yugur live in the western part of the Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, in the narrow northern corridor of Gansu Province. The nearest town to the Saragh Yugur is Zhangye. Other Saragh Yugur communities are located in the Dahe and Minghua districts, and in the Huangnibao area near Jiuquan City in western Gansu..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Buddhism (Tibetan)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
60.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
0.50 %
Ethnic Religions
39.50 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Yugur, West (12,000 speakers)
Language Code ybe   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Yugur, West (12,000 speakers)
Language Code ybe   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Yugur, West

Primary Language:  Yugur, West

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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