Zhuang, Guibei in China

People Name:	Zhuang, Guibei
Country:	China
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	1,647,000
World Population:	1,647,000
Primary Language:	Zhuang, Guibei
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	1.20 %
Evangelicals:	0.90 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Zhuang
Affinity Bloc:	Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

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.
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. One of these is the Guibei group which has their own Zhuang dialect. China's Guangxi Province is made up mostly of people from the Zhuang people groups.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Their 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. Each Zhuang group, including the Guibei, are unreached with the gospel.

What Are Their Needs?

The Zhuang have great linguistic diversity. Little has changed since this 1922 report describing Guangxi: "There are 58 cities, 700 market towns, and over 17,000 villages, all teeming with human lives for whom no effort whatever is being put forth." Therefore, it will take many efforts to produce gospel materials for the Zhuang peoples. Like most Zhang groups, the Guibei have their own dialect which has few if any gospel materials.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to raise up, equip and send out linguists who can help the Zhuang peoples to produce gospel materials.
Pray for the Guibei Zhuang to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find the Lord of lords.
Pray for Guibei disciples who will disciple others, spreading the fragrance of Christ to others.