Xuzhang Lalu in China

The Xuzhang Lalu have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Although they have been officially placed under the Yi nationality in China, the Xuzhang Lalu are different from all other ethnic groups. They possess their own identity, language, and customs. A local government source, the Baoshan Xian Zhi, states, "There are numerous divisions of the Yi in Baoshan County; based on a combination of autonyms [self-names], languages, and distribution, there are five kinds all together." Three of the Yi groups in Baoshan, the book concludes, are legitimate, distinct people groups.
It seems likely that the Xuzhang Lalu were once part of the large and influential Laluo people of Menghua who dominated the region from at least the eighth century AD. For an unknown reason, perhaps as they searched for more arable land, the ancestors of the Xuzhang Lalu migrated westward from the main body of Laluo. After centuries of separation, they developed their own language, customs, and identity although their name is only slightly different from the Laluo today.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Every year during the sixth and seventh months of the lunar calendar, activities known as the Flower Street Festival are organized in some Lalu communities. "On these occasions, people from all over the district come to an open area on a mountain peak.... The young boys and girls participate in singing and dancing. Should a boy wish to pursue a certain girl, he will throw a white handkerchief at her. If the girl is willing to take him as a boyfriend, she will indicate this by picking the handkerchief up."


What Are Their Beliefs?

When a Lalu man dies, his relatives hold a feast of mourning which they call za. "A pig or sheep is sacrificed in the doorway.... The nearer kindred, on hearing of the death of a relative, take a fowl and strangle it.... The mourner then proceeds to his house and sticks the fowl near the head of the corpse as an offering." This ritual represents the beliefs of the Xuzhang Lalu, which are a combination of spirit worship and ancestor worship.


What Are Their Needs?

Although Baoshan County contains several Lisu and Jingpo Christians, they have not been able to take the gospel to most Xuzhang Lalu because of communication barriers.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Xuzhang Lalu people to find their way to the cross.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among the Xuzhang Lalu in such a way they will seek and find the only savior.
Pray for loving and dedicated workers.


Scripture Prayers for the Lalu, Xuzhang in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Lalu, Xuzhang
People Name in Country Lalu, Xuzhang
Natural Name Xuzhang Lalu
Pronunciation Shoo-jung Lah-loo
Alternate Names Lalu; Tuli
Population this Country 5,300
Population all Countries 5,300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 0  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18535
ROP3 Code 114152
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 The small Xuzhang Lalu group, who number 4,100 people, live in several villages within the Xuzhang Community in Wafang District of Baoshan County. Baoshan is located in the western part of Yunnan Province. The principal village of the Xuzhang Lalu is named Sikeshu.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
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 The small Xuzhang Lalu group, who number 4,100 people, live in several villages within the Xuzhang Community in Wafang District of Baoshan County. Baoshan is located in the western part of Yunnan Province. The principal village of the Xuzhang Lalu is named Sikeshu..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
97.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
3.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Lalo, Dongshanba (5,300 speakers)
Language Code yik   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Lalo, Dongshanba (5,300 speakers)
Language Code yik   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Lalo, Dongshanba

Primary Language:  Lalo, Dongshanba

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  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. Learn more.


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