Wumeng in China

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

Introduction / History

Wumeng is an ancient tribal name that has been used for centuries to describe this people. It is probably just a loconym invented by the Chinese because this group lives in the Wumeng Mountain range. It is uncertain what name the Wumeng use for themselves, or whether they have adopted the use of Wumeng as their name.

The Wumeng are relatively recent arrivals in the region, having migrated there within the last 300 to 400 years. Their situation was described by Samuel Clarke, who wrote that "two days to the north of Anshun begin the estates and residences of the large Nosu [Yi] landholders, which stretch away as far as Zhaotong, Yunnan, one hundred and fifty miles away as the crow flies."


What Are Their Lives Like?

In the past the Wumeng were relatively wealthy slaveholders and landlords. Today, they are still a proud people who discourage intermarriage with other ethnic groups, including other people classified as "Yi." In recent years a few Wumeng have married partners from other ethnic groups, only to have their families disown them and cut them off.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Polytheism, ancestor worship, and, in the past century, Christianity are the main religions among the Wumeng.

The Paris Foreign Missionary Society commenced work in Zhaotong in 1780. The China Inland Mission and the Methodists arrived in the area at the start of the twentieth century. On Christmas Day, 1905, Samuel Pollard recorded in his diary: "This Christmas for the first time we have had [Yi] visitors. More than thirty came as a result of the preaching of Mr. Wang. They are a strange-looking lot, much wilder than the Miao, and fiercer-looking. One of them was a Yi wizard who taught me some characters. They say there are about eight or nine hundred families who wish to come. Does this mean that salvation for them has come at last?" By the 1990s, there were approximately 5,000 Wumeng Christians in northeastern Yunnan, meeting in small house fellowships throughout the mountains.


What Are Their Needs?

Like all people everywhere, the Wumeng people need more of Jesus.


Prayer Points

Thank the Lord for these Wumeng Christians!
Pray the Wumengs will evangelize and disciple others.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move mightily in Wumeng families, leading them to worship and serve the only savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Wumeng in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted Used with permission.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Wumeng
People Name in Country Wumeng
Pronunciation Woo-meng
Alternate Names Wumeng Yi
Population this Country 51,000
Population all Countries 51,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18713
ROP3 Code 114348
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 15  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country In 1999 ethnographer Jamin Pelkey listed a population of 38,300 Wumeng people in China. They live in four counties of Zhaotong Prefecture in northeast Yunnan Province. "In Zhaotong County the Wumeng live mainly in the Buga, Siwang, Xiaolongtong, Beizha, Qinggangling, Panhe and Sayu districts, as well as Dashanbao and Tianba districts in the western arm of the county. In Yongshan County, Wujia District contains the highest concentration of Wumeng. The Wumeng also inhabit parts of northern and northeastern Ludian County and much of Shanggaoqiao District of Daguan County." Although the Wumeng live close to the provincial border with Guizhou, they are believed to live exclusively within Yunnan Province.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 15  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country In 1999 ethnographer Jamin Pelkey listed a population of 38,300 Wumeng people in China. They live in four counties of Zhaotong Prefecture in northeast Yunnan Province. "In Zhaotong County the Wumeng live mainly in the Buga, Siwang, Xiaolongtong, Beizha, Qinggangling, Panhe and Sayu districts, as well as Dashanbao and Tianba districts in the western arm of the county. In Yongshan County, Wujia District contains the highest concentration of Wumeng. The Wumeng also inhabit parts of northern and northeastern Ludian County and much of Shanggaoqiao District of Daguan County." Although the Wumeng live close to the provincial border with Guizhou, they are believed to live exclusively within Yunnan Province..   Source:  Operation China, 2000

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 9.90 %)
10.00 %
Ethnic Religions
84.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
6.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Nasu, Wumeng (51,000 speakers)
Language Code ywu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Nasu, Wumeng (51,000 speakers)
Language Code ywu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Nasu, Wumeng

Primary Language:  Nasu, Wumeng

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2025  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.