Han Chinese, Hakka in Jamaica

People Name:	Han Chinese, Hakka
Country:	Jamaica
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	72,000
World Population:	44,256,800
Primary Language:	Chinese, Hakka
Primary Religion:	Non-Religious
Christian Adherents:	9.00 %
Evangelicals:	5.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Chinese
Affinity Bloc:	East Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Hakka, although proud of their cultural differences, have never claimed to be non-Chinese. Many famous Chinese have been Hakka, including Deng Xiaoping, Lee Kwan Yew, and Hong Xiuquan (the leader of the Taiping Rebellion).

There is much speculation concerning the historical roots of the Hakka. Some claim that they were the first Chinese people to arrive in China. Others claim that the Hakka are the descendants of the Xiongnu tribe. This much is agreed upon: At various stages between the fourth and thirteenth centuries AD, large numbers of people were forced to flee their homes in the war-torn Yellow River valley to seek refuge in southern China. These war refugees came to be known as Kejia - a Hakka word meaning "strangers" or "guests." When the savage Mongol hordes swept across China in the thirteenth century, many Hakka fled to the south to escape the carnage.

In today’s world, the Hakka are among the Chinese diaspora in many countries including Jamaica.

The Hakkas and other Chinese people came to Jamaica in the 19th century as cheap farm workers to replace newly-liberated African slaves. Most of them worked the sugar cane fields. They usually worked for five years, and they had a reputation as hard workers. In the 1970s many fled to Canada and the US to escape ethnic violence. More Hakka arrived in Jamaica in the 1980s-90s.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Hakka Chinese in Jamaica often own textile factories. They employ migrant workers for these enterprises. Others own grocery stores and other small businesses.

They are less likely to depend on ethnically-oriented societies in Jamaica than they are in other parts of the world. However, the Chinese have a Chinese-language newspaper in Jamaica. Members of Jamaica’s Chinese community have been involved with the reggae music scene. They usually speak English and Jamaican Patois (a Jamaican creole language) rather than Hakka.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the of the Hakka Chinese in Jamaica are non-religious. However, there are Christians among them, many of which involve Chinese churches. They are usually Roman Catholic, Anglican or Evangelical.

What Are Their Needs?

Hakka Chinese Buddhists in Jamaica need the chance to hear that Jesus Christ offers life to the full for those who will submit to his lordship.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Hakka to have receptive hearts to the things of Christ.

Pray for Hakka church planters to train others to plant more churches and make disciples.

Pray for the Hakka Chinese in Jamaica to become a strong mission force among unreached Chinese groups around the world.