Kim Mun in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Most of the Kim Mun in China are also known as Lantien and are counted as part of the Yao nationality. Those on Hainan Island, however, have been included as part of the Miao (apparently at their own insistence), although linguists agree that they speak Kim Mun. The name Lantien is a Chinese term meaning "those who make dye." Kim Mun means "the people in the forest." To complicate matters further, some Kim Mun are also referred to as the Shanzi Yao by the Chinese, meaning "mountaineer Yao."

For centuries the Kim Mun were oppressed by greedy landlords. They migrated in large numbers south and west in search of their own land. "Legend has it that the forefathers of these two branches of Yao [Kim Mun and Iu Mien] were brothers who separated during migration, thus forming two groups."


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kim Mun are famous for their many ingenious customs and inventions, including the tradition of making paper from roots and leaves. Until recently, a young Kim Mun man taking a wife had to pay a price. "Betrothal was actually a negotiation of the bride price, which was divided into five different grades, depending on such natural qualities as the girl's beauty and health. The girl's parents would not let the man take their daughter away until the price had been paid in full." During courtship, Kim Mun youth sing romantic songs to each other. "If a girl falls in love with a boy, she bites his arm as a token of her love for him."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kim Mun believe that when bad people die they go to a terrible place, their perception of hell—a thick, dark forest with no villages or clearings. They believe that good people will go to one of several levels of heaven, depending on how much care their eldest son gives the spirit of his dead parent. Men without sons, therefore, do whatever it takes to procure a son, since their soul will be lost without one. The Kim Mun worship their ancestors by sacrificing pigs three times each year to honor them.

The Kim Mun are an unreached people, although there are tiny pockets of believers scattered throughout southern China, including several confirmed believers in Mengla.


What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.

Pray for loving workers.

Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.

Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Kim Mun in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kim Mun
People Name in Country Kim Mun
Pronunciation KEEM moon
Alternate Names Asian Yao; Dao; Highland Yao; Kem Mun; Lan Dian; Lanten; Lantien; Lenten; Lowland Yao
Population this Country 335,000
Population all Countries 559,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 12688
ROP3 Code 105005
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country More than 250,000 speakers of the Kim Mun language live in China. The majority are located in the Jinping area of southeastern Yunnan Province, in addition to parts of Guangxi. Approximately 50,000 people living on Hainan Island are officially included as part of the Miao nationality, but they speak the same language as the Kim Mun on the Mainland who are included as part of the Yao nationality. More than 8,500 Kim Mun live in two subgroups within northern Laos, and an unspecified number live in Vietnam. In Laos the Kim Mun population is decreasing because of rampant drug addiction.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country More than 250,000 speakers of the Kim Mun language live in China. The majority are located in the Jinping area of southeastern Yunnan Province, in addition to parts of Guangxi. Approximately 50,000 people living on Hainan Island are officially included as part of the Miao nationality, but they speak the same language as the Kim Mun on the Mainland who are included as part of the Yao nationality. More than 8,500 Kim Mun live in two subgroups within northern Laos, and an unspecified number live in Vietnam. In Laos the Kim Mun population is decreasing because of rampant drug addiction..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.12 %)
0.20 %
Ethnic Religions
99.30 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.50 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kim Mun (335,000 speakers)
Language Code mji   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kim Mun (335,000 speakers)
Language Code mji   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kim Mun

Primary Language:  Kim Mun

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Jean Francois Perigois  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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