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."
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 the country while others remained and suffered the consequences of crossing the communists. The Iu Mien people who live in Vietnam are in the northern part of the country.
Houses in Mien villages are made of durable hardwood and have packed dirt floors. They are large enough for ceremonial gatherings and sturdy enough to withstand strong hurricane-force winds and torrential rains. Villagers cultivate rice and corn, and gather wild jungle products such as resin and honey to trade with merchants.
Social status in Iu Mien villages is determined by behavior, accomplishment, generosity with others, and scholarship in religious studies. Within each village community, there are a select few who gain prominence because of their literacy in Chinese. Young men from well-to-do families study and master Chinese characters in the expression of Yao concepts. They become experts in the writing of ritual texts and family genealogies.
The basic village household may consist of a man, his wife, their unmarried children, their married sons and daughters-in-law, their grandchildren, and other relatives. Because the extended family lives together, child rearing is a cross-generational affair, with grandparents giving the young parents "on the job training."
Each person has a well-defined role in Iu Mien society. Women are generally responsible for the day-to-day essentials of life, while men are concerned with the long-term welfare of the family. Men are also responsible for relations between the living family, their dead ancestors, and the world of spirits. In the villages, men fell the jungle trees and burn the areas to be cultivated. The women plant, hoe, and harvest. Villages work together in building houses and clearing fields, and celebrate together at feasts.
The religion of the Iu Mien is far more than a component of their culture. It is a total belief system that explains all the natural events of life and provides a way to gain control over those events. They are influenced by their ancestors, as well as by their animistic beliefs (the belief that the natural world around them is inhabited by spirits). Time and resources are spent to make sure that the ancestors remain content and the spirits are pacified. Rituals that reflect a blending of Taoist belief and animism are often conducted by well-trained priests.
As with most animistic cultures, the Iu Mien live in fear of displeasing the spirits of ancestors or nature. A desire to be free from fear and their emphasis on kindness and generosity within society would provide an opening for the gospel. Prayer is the key to seeing them reached for Christ.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to live and work among the Iu Mien.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to mission agencies that are focusing on them.
Pray that the Lord will raise up long term workers to help with the harvest.
Ask the Holy Spirit to complete the work begun in the hearts of the Iu Mien believers through adequate discipleship.
Ask the Lord to raise up a disciple making movement among the Iu Mien people that will affect their communities in Asia and North America.
Scripture Prayers for the Iu Mien in Vietnam.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12289/VM
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12289/LA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iu_Mien_people
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12289/CH
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2009/06/04
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2008/07/15
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iu_Mien_Americans
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Iu Mien |
People Name in Country | Iu Mien |
Pronunciation |
yoo mee-EN
|
Alternate Names | Dao; Guangxi-Yunnan; Guoshan; Guoshan Yao; Highland Yao; Man; Mian; Mien; Myen; Pan Yao; Yao; Yiu Mien; Youmian; Yumian |
Population this Country | 278,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,680,000 |
Total Countries | 7 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 4 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 12289 |
ROP3 Code | 104117 |
Country | Vietnam | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 25 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, Son La, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc, and Yen Bai provinces, scattered settlements in northern regions; Dac Lak province south. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Vietnam |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 25 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, Son La, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc, and Yen Bai provinces, scattered settlements in northern regions; Dac Lak province south.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 3.09 %) |
8.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
80.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
12.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Iu Mien (278,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ium Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Quan Trang |
Dialect Code | 11022 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Iu Mien (278,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ium Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Quan Trang |
Dialect Code | 11022 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Iu Mien |
Primary Language: Iu Mien
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1932-1996) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1975-1991) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2007-2008) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Online Audio Scripture | Talking Bibles |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Iu Mien | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Iu Mien | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Iu Mien | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | Joshua Project / Global Mapping International |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |