Introduction / History

The Iu Mien have a long history of fleeing oppression. This explains why the Chinese sometimes call them the Guoshan (Crossing the Mountains) Yao. Linguist Herbert Purnell explains, "The Iu Mien have been profoundly influenced by the Chinese over many centuries of contact. Perhaps the most significant development from these contacts has been the evolution and preservation of Taoist rituals written in Chinese characters. The Iu Mien have therefore possessed for several centuries what many other Asian peoples only dream of—an extensive written literature."

Where Are they Located?

The Iu Mien originated in China, but some were hired to help the French, and later the Americans, in their efforts to defeat the communists in Laos and Vietnam. After the communists took over Vietnam in 1975, many fled to the Unites States, though a smaller number took refuge in other western nations like Denmark.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Iu Mien people are very family oriented, so it must be very difficult when some family members manage to go to Denmark while others remain in Asia. Many of their community and spiritual leaders did not come with the Iu Mien who migrated to Denmark. Most of them arrived in Denmark in the late 70s and early 80s, so many of the next generation is more Danish than Iu Mien.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Iu Mien are Taoist who also worship their ancestors. They believe Pan created the heavens and the earth. After the death of King Pan the feudal court allowed his descendants to worship and make a picture of him with human features.

What Are Their Needs?

The Iu Mien need an identity. Their culture is largely shattered. Without a firm identity, people tend to wander into destructive behaviors.

Prayer Points

* Pray for believers to help the Iu Mien to put their identity in Christ, the one who came to give us life to the full.
* Pray for the Iu Mien people to re-discover their culture, but allow it to be redeemed by the teachings of Jesus.
* Pray for Christian materials that are in the Iu Mien language to be eagerly embraced.
* Pray for a disciple making movement among the Iu Mien that will affect their people no matter where they now live.

References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12289/DA
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12289/CH
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iu_Mien_people
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2009/06/04
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2008/07/15
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/23/local/la-me-mien-dictionary-20130324
http://wildflowers.org/wordpress/wp-content/themes/wild2013/pdf/Resiliency_and_Self-Sustainability_of_the_Lao_Iu_Mien_Community.pdf