Khuen in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Theravada)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Kuan have appeared in research under several different spellings. Their name has been listed as Khuen, Kuanhua, Kween, Khween, and Khouen. Some publications have listed Kuan and Khuen as two separate groups, but they are the same people. The Kuan are also different from the Khun, a Tai group found in eastern Myanmar. It is uncertain under which minority group, if any, the Chinese authorities have placed the Kuan.

The Kuan live in Jinghong—the center of Tai Lu culture in southern China. The Tai Lu have the following tale of how Jinghong was discovered by accident several thousand years ago: A hunter named Bayalawu had led some youths into the forest to hunt, where they came upon a golden deer. "Bayalawu purposely shot an arrow into its leg to stop it so that they could take it home to raise. But the golden deer escaped with the arrow in its leg. He then led the young hunters in a chase after it, taking them over 77 peaks and 99 rivers before there suddenly appeared before their eyes a glittering golden lake into which the golden deer leapt and vanished from sight. In a twinkling the lake was filled with lotus flowers."


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kuan wear their own distinctive clothing. Many aspects of their culture are similar to the Khmu, including their family names which are taken from the names of sacred animals or plants. For the duration of their lives, the Kuan are not allowed to touch the particular animal or plant that bears their name.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Some Kuan have been converted to Theravada Buddhism by the Tai Lu. They also worship a hierarchy of demons and ghosts. Every year the Kuan hold a festival to worship the spirits of the village and their ancestors.

Although Xishuangbanna Prefecture in 1996 had "more than 10,000 Christian believers ... from half a dozen different national minorities," the hidden Kuan remain an unreached and unevangelized people group. Few Kuan have any awareness of the gospel. Most of the believers in the area are among the Han Chinese, Tai Lu, Jino, and Akha minorities. As of yet, few have any vision to reach the numerous small, isolated groups such as the Kuan.


What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.


Prayer Points

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

Pray for loving workers.

Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.

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


Scripture Prayers for the Kuan, Khuen in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kuan, Khuen
People Name in Country Kuan, Khuen
Natural Name Khuen
Pronunciation Khoo-ahn
Alternate Names Khouen; Khween; Kuan; Kuanhua; Kween
Population this Country 1,600
Population all Countries 18,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 19157
ROP3 Code 115229
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 The majority make their home Luang Namtha and Oudomxai provinces in north-west Laos. More than 1,200 Khuen people live in nearby areas of south-west China.   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
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 The majority make their home Luang Namtha and Oudomxai provinces in north-west Laos. More than 1,200 Khuen people live in nearby areas of south-west China..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism (Theravada)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
80.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.11 %
Ethnic Religions
19.90 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Khuen (1,600 speakers)
Language Code khf   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Khuen (1,600 speakers)
Language Code khf   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Khuen

Primary Language:  Khuen

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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