Ergong in China

The Ergong have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Tibetan)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The great Qiang people group cluster was once more populous than today. As they moved into more remote regions along the Tibetan frontier, most Qiang were converted to Tibetan Buddhism and were gradually assimilated to Tibetan culture and customs. Today, minority groups such as the Ergong are an example of those Qiang groups who are still in the transitory stage of assimilation. The Ergong are culturally Tibetan but retain their Qiangic language.

Officially the Ergong have been included as part of the Tibetan nationality in China, even though they speak their own distinct language. The Ergong are also widely known as Hor or Horpa.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The customs of the Ergong are similar to Tibetan customs, although massive stone watchtowers called tianlu prove their affiliation with the Qiang people. Harsh Sichuan winters give way in May to sunny days when grass and wildflowers bloom throughout the region.


What Are Their Beliefs?

All Ergong adhere to the Tibetan Buddhist religion. They consider it a priority to visit at least one holy Tibetan site during the course of their lifetime.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ergong are a completely untouched people group. Few Christians have heard of the Ergong and fewer still have tried to reach them. James O. Fraser, a British missionary who worked among the Lisu in the early part of the twentieth century, often exhorted believers in the Western world to intercede on behalf of the lost in China. Fraser said, "Many of us cannot reach the mission-fields on our feet, but we can reach them on our knees. Solid, lasting missionary work is accomplished by prayer, no matter where one is located.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to influence their families, calling Ergong people to his side.
Pray for workers who love them.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord Jesus.
Pray for a thriving church planting movement in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Ergong in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ergong
People Name in Country Ergong
Pronunciation Erh-gong
Alternate Names Bawang Rong-Ke; Bopa; Daofuhua; Gesitsa; Hor; Hor-ke; Horpa; Horu; Jiarong; Pawang; Pawong; Taofu; Western Jiarong
Population this Country 63,000
Population all Countries 63,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18451
ROP3 Code 114051
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 Recent research has revealed the existence of approximately 60,500 Ergong people living in remote parts of western Sichuan Province of western China. The county with the largest number of Ergong people is Daofu, followed by Danba, Luhuo and Xinlong within the Banzi Prefecture; while in neighboring Aba Prefecture the Ergong are dispersed in Jinchuan and Zamtang counties.   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 Recent research has revealed the existence of approximately 60,500 Ergong people living in remote parts of western Sichuan Province of western China. The county with the largest number of Ergong people is Daofu, followed by Danba, Luhuo and Xinlong within the Banzi Prefecture; while in neighboring Aba Prefecture the Ergong are dispersed in Jinchuan and Zamtang counties..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Map of Ergong in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism (Tibetan)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
99.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.01 %)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.99 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Horpa (63,000 speakers)
Language Code ero   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Horpa (63,000 speakers)
Language Code ero   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Horpa

Primary Language:  Horpa

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source COMIBAM / Sepal 
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.


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