The Chinese government has created an artificial ethnic group designation called the Yi People Group. The group includes more than 100 distinct peoples. One such group is called the A Che. The Chinese government listed the A Che as a distinct people group in the 1953 Chinese Census. The A Che are similar yet distinct to the Azhe people, speaking a different language called Eastern Nisu. Living only in China, the A Che exist as a member of the "Other Tibetan-Burmese" People Cluster. They migrated from northern to southern China from 501-907 AD during the Sui and Tang dynasties, enlisted in the Luodian Kingdom armies, and located in Jianshui County in Yunnan Province. Later, they crossed the mountains into Yimen and Shuanghai Counties where they gradually became known as the A Che People.
Only those A Che living in Shuangbai County celebrate two important festivals. They hold the Open Street Festival every eighth day of the first lunar month in Damaidi District and the Dragon Worship Festival on the second day of the second lunar month in the Fadian Community of Yulong District
The A Che practice Chinese Folk Religion which includes the worship of many gods. They claim that in the past they were closer to a God of creation. However, they believe that subsequently their line of communication with the Creator was broken, therefore, they are unable to enter heaven. The Heaven's Family Ministry engaged the A Che from 2003-2013. Their ministry to the A Che is ongoing. It has planted a church consisting of a few number of Christ followers. Local pastors provide discipleship and leadership. Heaven's Family Ministry considers the A Che to be engaged but not reached (that is, the indigenous church is not yet fully capable of reproducing itself).
The A Che people need a spiritual hunger that will drive them to seek and find the true God of Creation. They need Christ's ambassadors to disciple them in his ways.
Ask the Lord to raise up more workers to spread the gospel amongst all the A Che people. Pray for godly A Che men to be raised up and trained in sound doctrine and then thrust out to disciple A Che believers to disciple others. Pray for a strong, sound indigenous church planting movement amongst the A Che. Pray for protection for believers against the evil one.
Scripture Prayers for the A Che in China.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | A Che |
People Name in Country | A Che |
Pronunciation |
ah chay
|
Alternate Names | A-Che |
Population this Country | 42,000 |
Population all Countries | 42,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18385 |
ROP3 Code | 113978 |
ROP25 Code | 300001 |
ROP25 Name | A Che |
Country | China | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 16 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Approximately 35,000 A Che people predominantly live in Shuangbai (23,000) and Yimen (11,100) counties in the eastern part of Yunnan Province's Chuxiong Prefecture. Other A Che villages spill over into Lufeng and Eshan counties in Yuxi Prefecture. Most of the A Che in Shuangbai County are extremely isolated. In Yuxi Prefecture, on the other hand, some A Che villages are a mere five kilometers (three mi.) from Yimen City. Source: Operation China, 2000 |
Country | China |
Region | Asia, Northeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 16 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Approximately 35,000 A Che people predominantly live in Shuangbai (23,000) and Yimen (11,100) counties in the eastern part of Yunnan Province's Chuxiong Prefecture. Other A Che villages spill over into Lufeng and Eshan counties in Yuxi Prefecture. Most of the A Che in Shuangbai County are extremely isolated. In Yuxi Prefecture, on the other hand, some A Che villages are a mere five kilometers (three mi.) from Yimen City.. Source: Operation China, 2000 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
98.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
2.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Ache (42,000 speakers) |
Language Code | yif Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Ache (42,000 speakers) |
Language Code | yif Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Ache |
Primary Language: Ache
Bible Translation Status: Translation Needed
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Operation China, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |