Han Chinese, Cantonese in Thailand

Introduction / History

The Cantonese are a subgroup of the Han Chinese. Cantonese and Mandarin are mutually unintelligible. They are separate languages not merely dialects of the same language. Cantonese contains up to nine tones compared to China's national language, Mandarin, has only four. Although they speak different languages and dialects, all Chinese people in China use the same written script. The more than 30 Han Chinese language groups are considered by linguists to be mutually unintelligible languages. They are not merely dialects of the same language.

The large southern Cantonese majority city of Guangzhou has been continually inhabited for 2,200 years. The city has been the center of Cantonese civilization. In the 33rd year of the reign of Emperor Qin Shihuang (214 BC), the Nanhai Prefecture was established in today's Guangzhou. Large numbers of other Han Chinese came into the area. Guangzhou became home to large numbers of foreign merchants in the ninth century until the T'ang emperors lost control of it in AD 878.

The large southern city of Guangzhou—which has been continually inhabited for 2,200 years— has always been the center of Cantonese civilization. In the 33rd year of the reign of Emperor Qin Shihuang (214 BC), the Nanhai Prefecture was established in today's Guangzhou. Large numbers of Han flooded into the area. Guangzhou became home to large numbers of foreign merchants in the ninth century until the T'ang emperors lost control of it in AD 878.

The Cantonese speakers have gone far and wide since then; early Chinese migrants to the United States were usually Cantonese speakers. They are in a multitude of countries, including Thailand.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Commonly, Cantonese speakers are small shop owners all over the world, though they do many other things as well. Some are international businessmen.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Cantonese zealously observe Daoist and Buddhist festivals. In many places they are reached with the gospel, but not in Thailand or Myanmar. Even then, there is a Christian presence among them in these two countries.

What Are Their Needs?

Cantonese speakers in Thailand and Myanmar need to hear about the life-changing gospel.

Prayer Points

Pray for Cantonese speaking Christian believers to take the gospel to the Buddhists in Thailand and Myanmar.

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead Cantonese speakers to the cross and the empty grave.

Pray for the Lord to give dreams to Cantonese speakers, leading to a movement to Christ in their families.

Text Source:   Joshua Project