Introduction / History

Although they have been officially included as members of the large Miao nationality in China, the Mjuniang speak a language closely related to Dong. The name Mjuniang is the autonym of this group. The Chinese invariably call them by the nickname Cao Miao, meaning "grass Miao." All the peoples in the area call the Mjuniang Cao Miao.

The Eurasian ancestry of the Miao (including the Mjuniang) was still apparent as recently as the nineteenth century. One visitor remarked, "They ate with spoons rather than chopsticks. ... Even more odd were the many red or blond-haired Miao with light skin, and some with blue eyes." For thousands of years the Han Chinese called themselves Li-min, which is generally translated "black-haired people." One writer asks, "Why, then, did they designate themselves the Black or Dark people? Did they at one time live in the neighborhood of people who were fair-haired and of lighter complexion than themselves?"

What Are Their Lives Like?

To accommodate their terrain, some Mjuniang villages consist of hanging houses. "These three-story wooden homes are built on stakes against the mountain slope. The top story is used to store the grain, the middle for bedrooms and living room, and the bottom for cattle, sheep and poultry."

What Are Their Beliefs?

For centuries, Mjuniang shamans and sorcerers have possessed great demonic power. Since the advent of Communism in China, however, their influence has been diminished. In many locations shamans continue to operate in secret.

The Lutherans worked in Liping until the 1930s, when they were forced to leave China. The church property was confiscated by the communists. Most of the present generation have never heard of Christ, nor have they ever met a Christian.

What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.

Prayer Points

Pray for the spiritual blindness and bondage to the evil one to be removed so they can understand and respond to Christ.

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.

Pray that the Mjuniang people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.

Scripture Prayers for the Mjuniang in China.

References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission