Central Bai in China

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

Introduction / History

The Central Bai are one of the most heavily sinicized (modified by Chinese influence) of China's 55 official minorities. Although the Chinese acknowledge two separate branches of Bai -- the Lemo and Nama -- the Central Bai scarcely qualify as an ethnic minority. "During the 1940 's... the Bai people denied their non-Chinese origin and would show offense if regarded as a minority." Various experts have commented, "The Bai like to be called Chinese." "The Bai nationality as an ethnic label was unknown to the Bai themselves until late 1958," and were "not quite a minority, but not quite Chinese either."

The Bai partly established the powerful, far-reaching Nanzhao Kingdom which was centered south of Dali. The kingdom grew so strong that they were able to defeat the Tang armies in the mid-700s. The kingdom flourished for 400 years until it collapsed in the tenth century and was replaced by the Kingdom of Dali. Dali, in turn, lasted until AD 1252 when it was overrun and destroyed by the all-conquering Mongol armies.


Where Are they Located?

Like many of China 's, minorities the Central Bai live in Yunnan Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

During the 30 centuries the Bai have inhabited Dali, and they have gradually been assimilated into Chinese culture. Dali has always been famous for its prolific supply of marble, which gave the people their name (Bai means "white" in Chinese).


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Central Bai are followers of Mahayana Buddhism, unlike other Buddhist groups in Yunnan such as the Tai Lu, Tai Mao, Wa, De 'ang, and Buang who are Theravada Buddhists.


What Are Their Needs?

The Central Bai people need to find their way to the Savior who can take away their fear of the spirit world and replace it with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Central Bai people of China.
Pray for the Central Bai people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Central Bai people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Central Bai communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Bai, Central in China.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21528/ch
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/10573/ch
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/nationality/bai.htm
https://gbtimes.com/the-bai-people-yunnans-second-largest-nationality


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bai, Central
People Name in Country Bai, Central
Natural Name Central Bai
Alternate Names Labbu; Minchia; Minjia; Minkia; Nama; Pai
Population this Country 869,000
Population all Countries 869,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 17
People ID 21528
ROP3 Code 100776
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 Guizhou province: small enclave; Yunnan province: Eryuan, Heqing, Jianchuan, Lanping, and Yunlong.   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
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 Guizhou province: small enclave; Yunnan province: Eryuan, Heqing, Jianchuan, Lanping, and Yunlong..   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
33.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.08 %)
0.08 %
Ethnic Religions
66.92 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bai, Central (869,000 speakers)
Language Code bca   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bai, Central (869,000 speakers)
Language Code bca   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bai, Central

Primary Language:  Bai, Central

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2005)
Bible-New Testament No
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
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bai, Central Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source David Stanley - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.