The Bokha are one of more than 100 distinct tribes and people groups that comprise the official Yi nationality in China. The Bokha speak their own language which is not mutually intelligible to any of the Yi varieties in the area. They also possess their own unique dress, customs and festivals.
The Bokha appear to consist of people from more than one historical migration. Most Bokha claim to have first arrived in the area after fleeing the chaos of war in Hunan Province more than 1,000 years ago. Their migration route took them through Wenshan Prefecture and into Honghe where they finally settled in Pingbian County. Some Bokha people living near Pingbian Township, however, claim to have migrated from Guizhou and Sichuan provinces only about 200 years ago.
The Bokha are skilled at making rice and corn whiskey, which they consume in copious quantities. As soon as a guest enters a Bokha home, he or she is offered a bowl of powerful whiskey which the host clasps in two hands as a mark of respect for the guest. To refuse to drink the whiskey is considered a grave insult by the Bokha, and a visitor may not be allowed to stay if they cannot offer a good excuse. The Bokha have many superstitions relating to preparation of food and eating.
On certain occasions throughout the year, the polytheistic beliefs of the Bokha come to the fore. The Bokha set aside the 16th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar to worship the dragon. Each village has a sacred tree on the outskirts of their village. They believe the tree is home to the spirit of the dragon. The entire village gathers around the tree to offer prayers, incense and sacrifices. They plead with the dragon to protect them and cause them to prosper in the coming year, and to cause all calamities and disease to stay far from their communities. The Bokha living in the northeast corner of Pingbian County "appease the dragon god by placing spicy whiskey on an altar beneath the dragon tree. They then take the whiskey and pour it into a basin in the altar. Having filled the basin, they use a hollowed reed and take turns sucking the potent brew from the altar."
There are just a few Christians among the unreached Bokha people. The Bokha remain unevangelized and devoid of any Christian witness.
The Bokha people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers them in John 10:10.
Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.
Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead them from darkness to light.
Pray for signs and wonders to happen among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Scripture Prayers for the Bokha in China.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bokha |
People Name in Country | Bokha |
Pronunciation | Bo-kah |
Population this Country | 12,000 |
Population all Countries | 12,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Akapa; Aphu; Baka; Black Muji; Bokho; Flowery Phula; Hei Muji; Hua Phula; Lao Phula; Pao Tle |
People ID | 18417 |
ROP3 Code | 114012 |
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 | Yunnan province: Hekou county, Lianhuatan township; Jinping county, Mengqiao and Ma’andi townships; Pingbian county, Dishuiceng township. Source: Ethnologue 2017 |
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 | Yunnan province: Hekou county, Lianhuatan township; Jinping county, Mengqiao and Ma’andi townships; Pingbian county, Dishuiceng township.. Source: Ethnologue 2017 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.05 %) |
0.10 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
95.90 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
4.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Bokha (12,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ybk Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Bokha (12,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ybk Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Bokha |
Primary Language: Bokha
Bible Translation Status: Translation Needed
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
None reported |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Operation China, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | Joshua Project / Global Mapping International |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |