Min Nan Chinese in China, Macau


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Min Nan, or Southern Min, are the largest Min language group. During the 10th century, the northern part of the Kingdom of Min in Fujian split off to form the Kingdom of Yin. The line between the Min Nan and Min Bei languages today very closely follows the border between those two kingdoms.
The Sui Dynasty (AD 589-618) lasted only 29 years but paved the way for the institutions and laws used by following dynasties. The Tuoba Emperor Yang Jian was known as the Cultivated Emperor because of the land reforms undertaken during his reign. It is during his rule that the Grand Canal was constructed, an engineering feat of staggering proportions. Three disastrous military defeats in northern Korea, which cost massive amounts of money and lives, hastened the collapse of Sui rule.


What Are Their Lives Like?

For the Chinese, having guanxi "connections" is very important. Favors are given between willing parties and reciprocated in times of mutual need.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Chinese have historically treated Christianity with suspicion. In 1724 Emperor Yungcheng told Jesuit missionaries, "You wish to make the Chinese Christians, and this is what your law demands, I know it very well. But what in that case would become of us? The subjects of your kings! The Christians whom you make recognize no authority but you; in times of trouble they listen to no other voice. I know well enough that there is nothing to fear at present; but when your ships shall be coming by thousands and tens of thousands, then, indeed, we may have some disturbances".
A large Christian community existed in Zaitun (now Quanzhou City) in the early 1300s. A Franciscan cathedral was constructed from gifts received from an Armenian woman living in the city. Bishop Andrew of Zaitun wrote in 1326, "We are able to preach freely and unmolested. Of idolaters a very large number are baptized but having been baptized they do not walk straight in the path of Christianity."


What Are Their Needs?

There are more than one million Min Nan believers in China today. In 1933 the Bible was translated into Min Nan. In 1986, 50,000 hymnals were printed, using the characteristic Amoy script, and distributed. They need to take the gospel to others who lack the abundant life offered only by Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for a purification and strengthening of their church so they can be used of God all over Macau.
Pray for Min Nan disciples to go to others with the gospel.
Pray for those who have been persecuted for their faith to use the situation to extend God’s kingdom.


Scripture Prayers for the Han Chinese, Min Nan in China, Macau.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Han Chinese, Min Nan
People Name in Country Han Chinese, Min Nan
Natural Name Min Nan Chinese
Pronunciation Min-Nahn
Alternate Names Amoy; Chaozhou; Fukien; Fukienese; Hainanese; Hokkien; Hoklo; Holo; Min Nan; Shanghainese; Southern Min; Taiwanese; Teochew; Totok
Population this Country 30,000
Population all Countries 44,045,000
Total Countries 18
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 11344
ROP3 Code 102140
ROP25 Code 301734
ROP25 Name Chinese

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.00 %)
6.00 %
Ethnic Religions
60.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
34.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Chinese, Min Nan (30,000 speakers)
Language Code nan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Chinese, Min Nan (30,000 speakers)
Language Code nan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Chinese, Min Nan
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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