The Xiqi are one of more than 100 distinct tribes or people groups among the official Yi nationality in China. The name Yi was created by the government in the 1950s as a generic term that covers many Tibeto-Burman speaking groups in China.
Although now hidden in obscurity, the Xiqi were some of the earliest people to arrive in the region during the Yuan Dynasty (twelfth century AD). Before the seventeenth century Yunnan was largely controlled by non-Han peoples. As early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) the Chinese rulers tried to gain control of Yunnan in order to have unrestricted land access to India and Southeast Asia. Around 100 BC armed conflict erupted between China and the Ailao Kingdom when the latter refused to allow an emissary of Emperor Wu Di to enter its territory.
A small number of Xiqi women have gained employment in recent years making embroidered hats, clothing, and bags for the Huaning Trading Corporation, which sells the items all around the world. The extra income is a welcome relief for the Xiqi; they are mostly impoverished farmers who live hard lives. For centuries the ability to sew and embroider has been important in Xiqi communities. Young men were attracted to a woman depending on her ability with the needle. Many Xiqi families keep pigs, poultry, and water buffaloes.
The majority of Xiqi are polytheists. They believe protective spirits live inside sacred trees. No one is allowed to harm or cut these trees, as that would bring disaster on the community. Offerings of food and sacrifices of animals are made at the foot of the tree trunk to ensure peace and prosperity for the entire village. The Xiqi also worship their ancestors, believing this will ensure a better existence for the dead person's soul.
Despite their long history, a mere handful of Xiqi people are known to believe in Jesus Christ. They meet in one small church along with some Han Chinese believers. There are a small number of Christians among the Ati people in Huaning, but their presence has had minimal influence on the linguistically similar Xiqi. Because this group has never been documented before, no evangelistic tools have been produced in their language.
The Xiqi people need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.
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 the Xiqi 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 Xiqi in China.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2008/07/31
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Xiqi |
People Name in Country | Xiqi |
Pronunciation | Shee-chee |
Alternate Names | Siqi |
Population this Country | 18,000 |
Population all Countries | 18,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18723 |
ROP3 Code | 114358 |
ROP25 Code | 308869 |
ROP25 Name | Xiqi |
Country | China | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 16 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | More than 13,000 Xiqi (pronounced "Shee-chee") people live in the Zhuoqi Mountains of Huaning County in central Yunnan Province. In Tonghongdian District, the Xiqi live mainly in the villages of Suomeizao and Dapozuo. In Panxi District the Xiqi inhabit the area in and around Yide, Fagao, Dayaxi, and Longtanying villages. In Huaxi District the Xiqi can be found in and around Xishajing and Dujiacun villages. Some Xiqi also live in Shanzhi and Qize villages in south central Qinglong District. Others live on Denglou Mountain in Chengjiao District. All of these places are in Yuxi Prefecture. In addition, "the only hint of Xiqi living in Honghe Prefecture is a people referred to as 'Siqi' living in northern Panjiang District [Jianshui County], neighboring a Xiqi area of Huaning County." Source: Operation China, 2000 |
Country | China |
Region | Asia, Northeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 16 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | More than 13,000 Xiqi (pronounced "Shee-chee") people live in the Zhuoqi Mountains of Huaning County in central Yunnan Province. In Tonghongdian District, the Xiqi live mainly in the villages of Suomeizao and Dapozuo. In Panxi District the Xiqi inhabit the area in and around Yide, Fagao, Dayaxi, and Longtanying villages. In Huaxi District the Xiqi can be found in and around Xishajing and Dujiacun villages. Some Xiqi also live in Shanzhi and Qize villages in south central Qinglong District. Others live on Denglou Mountain in Chengjiao District. All of these places are in Yuxi Prefecture. In addition, "the only hint of Xiqi living in Honghe Prefecture is a people referred to as 'Siqi' living in northern Panjiang District [Jianshui County], neighboring a Xiqi area of Huaning County.". Source: Operation China, 2000 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.07 %) |
0.15 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
94.85 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
5.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Sani (18,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ysn Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Sani (18,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ysn Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Sani |
Primary Language: Sani
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 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. |