Zhuang, Yongnan in China
Photo Source:
Bengchye Loo - Flickr
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Zhuang, Yongnan |
| Country: | China |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 2,049,000 |
| World Population: | 2,062,000 |
| Primary Language: | Zhuang, Yongnan |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.20 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.14 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Zhuang |
| Affinity Bloc: | Southeast Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Zhuang (Yongnan, Dai, Nong, Yang, Zuojiang) are a collection of related Central Tai language groups which have been combined with the Northern Zhuang - a collection of Northern Tai language groups - to form China's official Zhuang nationality. There are many tribes, clans, and self-designations among the Zhuang. Names such as Debao and Heiyi frequently appear in Chinese linguistic research.
During the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), half a million Han convicts were exiled by Emperor Qin Shihuang to the Lingnan region in southern China (now Guangxi and Guangdong). There they intermingled with the various branches of the Bai Yue nationality. The Zhuang today are thought to be the descendants of the Bai Yue. Historically, the Zhuang were called Tuliao or Sharen.
China's Guangxi Province is made up mostly of people from the Zhuang people groups. They live similar lives and each subgroup, including the Liujiang, is unreached with the gospel.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Yongnan Zhuang homes are usually built on stilts. A newly married woman stays with her parents until after the birth of the first child. Only then does she go to live with her husband in his village.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Zhuang are careful not to offend the spirit world that surrounds them. They believe in the spirits of the water, forest, mountain, village, etc.
The first Protestant missionary to the Zhuang was R. H. Graves, a Southern Baptist, who arrived in Guangxi in 1862. In 1895 the Christian & Missionary Alliance commenced work in Guangxi. They established 65 churches over a 50-year period. Most of these churches were attended by Han Chinese, but small numbers of Zhuang also attended.
What Are Their Needs?
Every Zhuang subgroup, including the Yongnan, need the gospel to penetrate their families and communities.
Prayer Points
Pray for a powerful gospel witness in every Yongnan Zhuang family.
Pray for Yongnan Zhuang disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to draw family heads to the only savior, Jesus Christ.