Introduction / History

During the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), Emperor Qin Shihuang exiled half a million Han convicts 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. Names such as Debao and Heiyi frequently appear in Chinese linguistic research.

The Yongnan Zhuang live mainly in China, but there are also some in Vietnam.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Zhuang Yongnan 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.

Zhuang Yongnan peoples have a tradition of written and unwritten stories and legends, some of which date back 1,000 years. Many of their folk tales and poems are in the form of song. Someone with the right skills could use their melodies to teach about the ways of Jesus.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lachi hold annual ceremonies determined by the lunar calendar. They pray for seeds before they plant them, believing each seed has a soul. They invoke the spirits to watch over the harvest, to ensure plenty of food for the entire village. The New Rice Festival along with the New Year and Seventh Month festivals are the largest, most colorful, and most important festivals of the year.

What Are Their Needs?

The greatest need of the Lachi people is to place their faith in Jesus Christ, alone.

The Lachi are blocked off from Christian witness because the atheistic governments of both China and Vietnam forbid evangelism. The nearest Christian communities to

Prayer Items

Pray for workers to go to the Zhuang Yongnan people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.
Pray for families of believers loving and serving others and planting new churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith and discipling others.
Pray for grace and truth to expand into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.

Scripture Prayers for the Zhuang, Yongnan in Vietnam.

References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.