According to past records, the Central Niesu were once part of the Lowu nationality, as were the present-day Luowu people group. Many centuries ago the ancestors of the Central Niesu migrated to their present location and settled down in the mountains.

The Central Niesu have been officially included as part of the Yi nationality in China. They are not the same as the similarly named Nisu, Neisu, Nasu, or Nosu groups in southern China who, even though they are all viewed as Yi groups, possess widely differing customs and languages. They are also not the same as a group in Weining County of Guizhou Province, also called Niesu.

A Niesu couple usually gets married by one of two ways. First, the couple needs the consent of both sets of parents. The couple then customarily lives in the home of the bride's family until the first child is born. Only after the birth is the couple officially considered married. They are free to move into their own home. Alternatively, when a girl "reaches the age of 16 she is given her own room above the goat shed or cattle stall. Her boyfriend then comes and spends the nights with her. When a child is born, the father of the child is her husband for life. Before a child is born the 'marriage' may be broken off by a simple ceremony of splitting a stick, but after the first child, divorce is very uncommon."

The Central Niesu worship many gods and spirits. Some they see as helpful spirits that can bless and protect them, but most they see as vengeful and dangerous spirits that must be continually appeased and feared.

The gospel has yet to reach the ears of the majority of Central Niesu people in China. Dali Prefecture contains one of the lowest percentage Christians of any area in Yunnan Province. Not only are the Central Niesu unreached, but they are surrounded by numerous other people groups in a similar unfortunate position.

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

Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.

Pray for loving workers.

Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.

Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.

Scripture Prayers for the Niesu, Central in China.

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission