Darang Deng in China

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

Introduction / History

We know very little of the Deng people and their origins. It is interesting that the Jingpo minority, who now live in western China and northern Myanmar, claim to have originated in Tibet. Considering the similarities between the two languages, it could be speculated that the Jingpo are descended from the Deng.

Although the Deng are listed among official statistics for Tibet, they were not counted as part of any nationality in the census. A government publication states, "The Tibetans live alongside the Deng Ren, who have not been identified as a separate ethnic group." The Deng have made strong demands to be recognized as a separate nationality, but their applications have so far been rejected. They have even "threatened secession from China if they were not officially recognized as a nationality. ... The Tibetan authorities strongly oppose such a move, arguing that it would split the Tibetan nationality."


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Deng, who always go barefoot, have their own set of distinctive customs. "It is a common custom for them to swap a few head of cattle and several chickens for a woman as wife. Their dead are cremated, the corpse being burned together with the house he formerly owned."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Deng are polytheists. They have been described as a "ghost and deity fearing people." For centuries the Deng have rejected pressure from the Tibetans to convert to Buddhism, although many Deng do outwardly observe Buddhist rituals.

Until recently there had never been any known Christians among the Deng in Tibet. When a foreign believer traveled to the Deng, "he and the other foreign tourists helped lead [their Deng tour guide] to Jesus. When he came back a couple of years later, he was able to help lead her nuclear family to Jesus." The nearest community of believers is the evangelistic Rawang church in northern Myanmar. The Rawang have sent workers into southern Tibet in recent years, but it is not known if these servants of Christ have traveled as far as the Deng region yet.


What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people will be lost in this life and the life to come. They need someone to go to them as Christ-bearers.


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 Deng, Darang in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Deng, Darang
People Name in Country Deng, Darang
Natural Name Darang Deng
Pronunciation Da-rahng Dung
Alternate Names Bonglong; Dalang; Darong; Deang; Palaung; Tarang; Taraon
Population this Country 11,000
Population all Countries 11,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18436
ROP3 Code 114035
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 Six thousand speakers of the Darang Deng language in China were reported in 1987. The Darang Deng live along the valley of the Dulai River in Zayu (also known as Chayu) County in the southeastern corner of Tibet. The Geman Deng, who speak a different language, live on the tablelands on both sides of the lower reaches of the Zayu River farther to the east of the Darang. Zayu County is off-limits to foreigners. The Deng language is also spoken by people in Assam, India, and the northernmost tip of Myanmar.   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 Six thousand speakers of the Darang Deng language in China were reported in 1987. The Darang Deng live along the valley of the Dulai River in Zayu (also known as Chayu) County in the southeastern corner of Tibet. The Geman Deng, who speak a different language, live on the tablelands on both sides of the lower reaches of the Zayu River farther to the east of the Darang. Zayu County is off-limits to foreigners. The Deng language is also spoken by people in Assam, India, and the northernmost tip of Myanmar..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
10.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.12 %)
0.15 %
Ethnic Religions
85.85 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
4.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Digaro-Mishmi (11,000 speakers)
Language Code mhu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Digaro-Mishmi (11,000 speakers)
Language Code mhu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Digaro-Mishmi
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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