Ban Yao in China

The Ban Yao have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Military campaigns waged by the Chinese during the Hong Wu (1368-1398) and the Jia Qing (1522-1566) periods of the Ming Dynasty caused the Ban Yao to migrate to their present location. The campaigns were often launched because the Yao refused to pay taxes. They claimed that they were once granted imperial privilege to avoid taxes from generation to generation.

The Ban Yao are officially considered part of the large Yao minority group. Although they recognize historical kinship with the Yao peoples, the Ban Yao now have their own customs, dress, and language. They are unable to use their own language to communicate with other Yao groups in Yunnan and must speak Chinese to communicate.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Until recently, a young Ban Yao man wishing to take a wife had to pay for her. Betrothal involved a negotiation of the bride-price. The price was divided into three different levels, 72, 60, or 48 ounces of silver, depending on the beauty and health of the young woman. The young woman's parents kept their daughter until the price had been paid in full. Some Ban Yao continue to share communal family homes with many of their relatives. The oldest living male is considered the head of the household.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ban Yao are primarily worshipers of nature and the spirits they believe control it. They believe demons dwell inside large mountains, and their fate is linked to whether or not the spirits are pleased with them.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bao Yao people know they need protection from the spirit world.

About a fifth of the Ban Yao have heard the gospel message through Hmong and Han believers. However, there are no known Christians among them. Reaching them with the good news is difficult because of their isolation and independent mind-set. The Ban Yao have lived and died for centuries without the knowledge of Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to intervene in Ban Yao culture and call these people to his son.
Pray for workers who will go to the Ban Yao and share the gospel message.
Pray for hearts of the Ban Yao people to be drawn to Jesus.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Ban Yao in China.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ban Yao
People Name in Country Ban Yao
Pronunciation Bahn-Yaow
Alternate Names Ban; Ban Mien
Population this Country 36,000
Population all Countries 36,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18411
ROP3 Code 114005
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 Approximately 30,000 Ban Yao live in southwest China. The Ban Yao are the smallest of the three Yao groups (totaling 154,700) located in Yunnan Province. The Ban Yao live in the extreme southeastern arm of Yunnan and in adjacent areas of southwest Guangxi. They are noted for living at the top of verdant mountains throughout the area. Being a people who stubbornly keep to themselves and resist all pressure to change, they do not often appear in the market towns on the plain.   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 Approximately 30,000 Ban Yao live in southwest China. The Ban Yao are the smallest of the three Yao groups (totaling 154,700) located in Yunnan Province. The Ban Yao live in the extreme southeastern arm of Yunnan and in adjacent areas of southwest Guangxi. They are noted for living at the top of verdant mountains throughout the area. Being a people who stubbornly keep to themselves and resist all pressure to change, they do not often appear in the market towns on the plain..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
95.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Iu Mien (36,000 speakers)
Language Code ium   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Iu Mien (36,000 speakers)
Language Code ium   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Iu Mien
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  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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