Guanyingqiao Jiarong in China

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

Introduction / History

Thousands of years ago the various branches of the Jiarong in Sichuan were more closely related to today's official Qiang nationality. The Jiarong, however, migrated into Tibetan areas and have been culturally assimilated to Tibetan ways.

Although the Guanyingqiao Jiarong have officially been classified as members of the Tibetan nationality, they do not even speak a language closely related to Tibetan and are known to have a different history, origin, and customs. Whereas certain Chinese experts were in favor of giving the Jiarong status as a distinct minority group, certain Tibetan leaders are believed to have campaigned for their inclusion in the Tibetan nationality, fearing that the exclusion of the Jiarong would weaken the Tibetan cause.

Guanyingqiao Jiarong is a member of the Qiangic branch of the Tibeto- Burman language family. This group is related to Ergong and Shangzhai Jiarong. Despite their small population, studies indicate the existence of eight dialects within Guanyingqiao Jiarong. "Representative local varieties of Guanyingqiao, some very different, include Xiaoyili and Siyaowu in Zamtang County, Muerzong in Barkam County, Guanyingqiao, Ergali, Taiyanghe, Ere and Yelong in Jinchuan County."


What Are Their Lives Like?

Although the dress and most customs of the Jiarong are now identical to their neighboring Tibetans, they proudly retain their ancient stone defense towers, called tianlu, which show their historic relationship with the Qiang peoples.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Tibetan Buddhism is embraced by all Jiarong people. Polytheism and shamanism are also present. The deities most feared by the Jiarong are the mountain gods, which they believe dwell inside large mountains and are responsible for most bad things that happen.

The extreme geographic remoteness of the Guanyingqiao Jiarong has separated them from gospel witness throughout their history. There are few roads in this sparsely populated part of China, and most local people here have never seen a Westerner. Very few Han Chinese have settled in this part of Sichuan, except for government officials and some adventurous merchants. Few Guanyingqiao Jiarong have ever heard the name of Jesus Christ.


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 more workers to arise who will freely share the goodness of Jesus with the Guanyingqiao Jiarong.
Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the Guanyingqiao Jiarong people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.


Scripture Prayers for the Jiarong, Guanyingqiao in China.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jiarong, Guanyingqiao
People Name in Country Jiarong, Guanyingqiao
Natural Name Guanyingqiao Jiarong
Pronunciation gwan-ying-chee-OW gee-ah-RONG
Alternate Names Gyarong; Gyarung; Jarong
Population this Country 7,900
Population all Countries 7,900
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18508
ROP3 Code 114120
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 Several thousand speakers of the Guanyingqiao Jiarong language live in the remote northwestern part of Sichuan Province. According to linguist Jonathon Evans, "The language is spoken along the tributaries of the Jinchuan River in the southwestern tip of Ma'erkang (Barkam) County, northwestern Jinchuan County, and southeastern Zamtang County. It has been named Guanyingqiao after the district in Jinchuan County which is the focal point of the Guanyingqiaospeaking area." Although no specific figure for the Guanyingqiao Jiarong has been published, they are believed to number approximately 5,000 speakers. Their location is shared with Tibetans. Very few outsiders have ever ventured as far as the Guanyingqiao area.   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 Several thousand speakers of the Guanyingqiao Jiarong language live in the remote northwestern part of Sichuan Province. According to linguist Jonathon Evans, "The language is spoken along the tributaries of the Jinchuan River in the southwestern tip of Ma'erkang (Barkam) County, northwestern Jinchuan County, and southeastern Zamtang County. It has been named Guanyingqiao after the district in Jinchuan County which is the focal point of the Guanyingqiaospeaking area." Although no specific figure for the Guanyingqiao Jiarong has been published, they are believed to number approximately 5,000 speakers. Their location is shared with Tibetans. Very few outsiders have ever ventured as far as the Guanyingqiao area..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Jiarong, Guanyingqiao in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism (Tibetan)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
90.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
9.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Lavrung (7,900 speakers)
Language Code jiq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Lavrung (7,900 speakers)
Language Code jiq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Lavrung

Primary Language:  Lavrung

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: Ethnologue / Operation China. 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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