Nong Zhuang in China

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

Introduction / History

The Nong Zhuang people live in southeastern Yunnan Province, primarily in the counties of Guangnan, Yanshan, Wenshan, Maguan, Malipo, and Xichou, as well as a smaller population in the Vietnamese provinces of Lao Cai and Ha Giang.

Most members of this ethnic group continue to speak a unique Central Taic language, though some young people who group up in or near cities only speak Chinese. Many Nong Zhuang people also have a functional ability in standard Mandarin or the local dialect of Chinese, though older people and those who have not left the villages often have more limited Chinese comprehension and some Nong are completely monolingual.

The Nong Zhuang, who call themselves Pu Nong or Pu Day ("Pu" meaning "people" or "tribe"), are known to surrounding ethnic groups as "Nongzu" or "Longzu" (侬族) and were classified into the official Zhuang nationality in 1958.


What Are Their Lives Like?

There are several different costumes among the Nong Zhuang, according to region, and there are multiple dialects of the Nong Zhuang language. Though all Nong Zhuang can communicate with each other using their language, comprehension can be difficult when speakers have not been exposed to each others' dialects.

Though the Nong Zhuang have a long history of contact with the Han Chinese, they maintain their own distinctive culture. Their religion is Animistic and also incorporates ancestor worship. Objects of worship include sacred trees, water buffalo, etc. Animal sacrifices and other offerings and ceremonies are conducted through a male shaman in order to try to bring prosperity and ward off evil spirits. Female mediums channel spirits during trances to tell fortunes and give advice. Cultural art forms include intricate brocade embroidery, long epic songs and large, raised wooden houses, completely assembled without nails.

The Nong Zhuang have been sedentary rice-paddy farmers for millennia. Their villages are usually located in river valleys along water sources. In addition to agriculture, the Nong Zhuang work in government, local commerce and as wage laborers. Relative to other rural ethnic minorities in China, their economic status is average, as is their educational levels. Almost all Nong Zhuang children now attend some elementary school and the majority now attend school through at least ninth grade, as first through ninth grades are now free of study fees or book fees for students in the Nong area. A minority of Nong Zhuang children continue through high school and a smaller percentage attend university or technical college.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though an W. C. Dodd recognized the need of the Nong Zhuang for a concentrated effort back in 1910, throughout the twentieth century, according to Chinese government historical records, there was never an Christian effort focused on this ethnic group. The vast majority of Nong Zhuang people have never heard a clear presentation of the Good News in a language they understand adequately, and most have never had any exposure whatsoever.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Zhuang, Nong in China.


References

Registered with ISO 639-3 under the code [zhn], known to Chinese linguists as "Yan-Guang Southern Zhuang."


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2010-07-09
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-07-04
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-07-16
People Name General Zhuang, Nong
People Name in Country Zhuang, Nong
Natural Name Nong Zhuang
Pronunciation Nung Zhoo-ung
Alternate Names
Population this Country 546,000
Population all Countries 546,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 11
People ID 19685
ROP3 Code 115005
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 The Zhuang are the largest minority group in China. With more than 17 million people, their population is approximately the same as the population of Australia. More than 11 million people speak the various Zhuang languages. The majority are located in the central and western parts of Guangxi in southern China. Others are scattered throughout 15 of the other 29 provinces in China, including one small Zhuang enclave in distant Shaanxi Province.   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 The Zhuang are the largest minority group in China. With more than 17 million people, their population is approximately the same as the population of Australia. More than 11 million people speak the various Zhuang languages. The majority are located in the central and western parts of Guangxi in southern China. Others are scattered throughout 15 of the other 29 provinces in China, including one small Zhuang enclave in distant Shaanxi Province..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Zhuang, Nong in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.14 %)
0.20 %
Ethnic Religions
90.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
9.80 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Zhuang, Nong (546,000 speakers)
Language Code zhn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Zhuang, Nong (546,000 speakers)
Language Code zhn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Zhuang, Nong

Primary Language:  Zhuang, Nong

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2022)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2023)
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Zhuang, Nong Jesus Film Project
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Zhuang, Nong YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Zhuang, Nong YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.