Shixing in China

The Shixing have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Tibetan)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Shixing are one of many small groups in southern and central Sichuan who have been officially counted as part of the Tibetan nationality. The name Shixing means "iron people." The Chrame call their Shixing neighbors Xumi.

The area inhabited by the Shixing has a long and rich history. Their villages are "guarded by watchtowers erected by powerful Naxi kings several hundred years ago." The Naxi's interest in the region may have been due to the abundance of gold once found in the Shou Chu River. The river was extensively mined by the great Naxi king, Mutien Wang.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Shixing live isolated lives farming rice and maize on thin strips of land leading down to the river. The Shixing villages are "peculiar conglomerations of huts built one against the other, with flat roofs, permitting one to step from house to house over the entire village."


What Are Their Beliefs?

All Shixing are Tibetan Buddhists; they were converted centuries ago. Outside many of their homes one will find mani piles (pyramids of white stones) which are engraved with the sacred Tibetan prayer, Om mani padme hum - "Hail the Jewel of the Lotus." In the past the Shixing lived under the rule of the Chrame king in Muli, along with his powerful religious rulers.

The Muli region in southwest Sichuan Province is one of the most gospel-neglected places on earth. No missionaries are known to have worked there in the past. There has never been a known believer or Christian fellowship among the Shixing people. The nearest believers to the Shixing are the Lisu in northwest Yunnan, but they are still a considerable distance away over some of the most remote terrain in the world.


What Are Their Needs?

The Shixing people need to accept the warm embrace of the only Savior so they can enjoy spiritually meaningful lives.


Prayer Points

Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead them from darkness to light.

Pray for signs and wonders to happen among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.

Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Shixing in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Shixing
People Name in Country Shixing
Pronunciation Sher-Shing
Alternate Names Shihing; Shishing; Shuhian; Shuhin; Sumu; Xumi
Population this Country 3,600
Population all Countries 3,600
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 0  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14916
ROP3 Code 108956
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 A 1983 report listed 2,000 speakers of the Shixing language 'living along the fast-flowing Shuilo River and its downstream tributary, the Chongtian River, in the First District of Muli County in southern Sichuan Province'. Mountain trails leading to the Shixing villages rise to an altitude of 4,680 meters (15,000 ft.). One visitor to the Shixing described the remarkable variation in terrain: 'We found the stifling heat in the gorges of the Shou Chu next to unbearable, especially as we passed from cool forest regions to a temperature of over 100° Fahrenheit within a couple of hours. The region is a botanist's paradise. We found wild flowers, anemones, blue poppies, and many primroses of all colors, forming a veritable carpet of exquisite designs.'   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 A 1983 report listed 2,000 speakers of the Shixing language 'living along the fast-flowing Shuilo River and its downstream tributary, the Chongtian River, in the First District of Muli County in southern Sichuan Province'. Mountain trails leading to the Shixing villages rise to an altitude of 4,680 meters (15,000 ft.). One visitor to the Shixing described the remarkable variation in terrain: 'We found the stifling heat in the gorges of the Shou Chu next to unbearable, especially as we passed from cool forest regions to a temperature of over 100° Fahrenheit within a couple of hours. The region is a botanist's paradise. We found wild flowers, anemones, blue poppies, and many primroses of all colors, forming a veritable carpet of exquisite designs.'.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Shixing in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism (Tibetan)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
100.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Shuhi (3,600 speakers)
Language Code sxg   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Shuhi (3,600 speakers)
Language Code sxg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Shuhi

Primary Language:  Shuhi

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Christopher Timmons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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