For centuries Nubra merchants have lived along the trade routes of the Old Silk Roads, which ran east into Tibet and north to Xinjiang and Central Asia. Tribes and bandits from the Ladakh region frequently raided areas inside today's China, including the Gug tribe who drove the Keriya people deep into the Taklimakan Desert before retreating back to their mountain hideouts.

Historically, the Nubra were part of the Ladahki people. Although the Ladahki are primarily Tibetan Buddhist, most Nubra have converted to the Sunni sect of Islam. The Nubra do not appear in Chinese literature, so it is uncertain how they have been officially classified by the authorities. Local researchers in Xinjiang, however, are aware of the presence of this unique tribe who identify themselves as Nubra or Nubran to outsiders.

The Nubra experienced a complete cultural transformation when they converted from Tibetan Buddhism (with all its idols, demons, ghosts, and spirit appeasement) to Islam - which abhors idolatry and strictly opposes the worship of any deity other than Allah. The customs of the Nubra reflect their Islamic beliefs. Many Nubra also herd yaks, goats, and sheep.

The Nubra live near their fellow Muslims: the Uyghur, Kazakh, Tajik, and Kirghiz. Although they speak the Ladakhi language, the major religious differences between the Muslim Nubra and the Buddhist Ladakhis have caused the Nubra to develop a separate ethnicity.

There are no known Christians among the Nubra either in China or India. Although there are about 120 Moravian believers among the Ladakhis in India, the church has not grown at all since 1922 when they numbered 158 believers. In recent years an Indian mission, the Cooperative Outreach of India, has commenced medical and evangelistic work among the Nubra in India. After one of their trips they reported, "After having crossed the highest motorable road in the world one reaches the Nubra Valley. ... We had 20 cataract surgeries and over 750 patients who came from far flung areas near the borders." Because of the tense political situation, little has been done to help the Nubra living within China's borders. The Nubra remain unreached and unevangelized.

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 Nubra in China.

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission