Xiqi in China

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

Introduction / History

The Xiqi are one of more than 100 distinct tribes or people groups among the official Yi nationality in China. The name Yi was created by the government in the 1950s as a generic term that covers many Tibeto-Burman speaking groups in China.

Although now hidden in obscurity, the Xiqi were some of the earliest people to arrive in the region during the Yuan Dynasty (twelfth century AD). Before the seventeenth century Yunnan was largely controlled by non-Han peoples. As early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) the Chinese rulers tried to gain control of Yunnan in order to have unrestricted land access to India and Southeast Asia. Around 100 BC armed conflict erupted between China and the Ailao Kingdom when the latter refused to allow an emissary of Emperor Wu Di to enter its territory.


What Are Their Lives Like?

A small number of Xiqi women have gained employment in recent years making embroidered hats, clothing, and bags for the Huaning Trading Corporation, which sells the items all around the world. The extra income is a welcome relief for the Xiqi; they are mostly impoverished farmers who live hard lives. For centuries the ability to sew and embroider has been important in Xiqi communities. Young men were attracted to a woman depending on her ability with the needle. Many Xiqi families keep pigs, poultry, and water buffaloes.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of Xiqi are polytheists. They believe protective spirits live inside sacred trees. No one is allowed to harm or cut these trees, as that would bring disaster on the community. Offerings of food and sacrifices of animals are made at the foot of the tree trunk to ensure peace and prosperity for the entire village. The Xiqi also worship their ancestors, believing this will ensure a better existence for the dead person's soul.

Despite their long history, a mere handful of Xiqi people are known to believe in Jesus Christ. They meet in one small church along with some Han Chinese believers. There are a small number of Christians among the Ati people in Huaning, but their presence has had minimal influence on the linguistically similar Xiqi. Because this group has never been documented before, no evangelistic tools have been produced in their language.


What Are Their Needs?

The Xiqi people need a sense of peace and calm, food, shelter, clothing and medical supplies. They need the resources to take care of their needs.


Prayer Points

Pray for loving workers to minister to the Xiqi people.
Pray for open hearts to receive the good news with joy and hope.
Pray for the Lord to arrange for a gospel outbreak when the time is right.


Scripture Prayers for the Xiqi in China.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Xiqi
People Name in Country Xiqi
Pronunciation Shee-chee
Alternate Names Siqi
Population this Country 18,000
Population all Countries 18,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18723
ROP3 Code 114358
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 13,000 Xiqi (pronounced "Shee-chee") people live in the Zhuoqi Mountains of Huaning County in central Yunnan Province. In Tonghongdian District, the Xiqi live mainly in the villages of Suomeizao and Dapozuo. In Panxi District the Xiqi inhabit the area in and around Yide, Fagao, Dayaxi, and Longtanying villages. In Huaxi District the Xiqi can be found in and around Xishajing and Dujiacun villages. Some Xiqi also live in Shanzhi and Qize villages in south central Qinglong District. Others live on Denglou Mountain in Chengjiao District. All of these places are in Yuxi Prefecture. In addition, "the only hint of Xiqi living in Honghe Prefecture is a people referred to as 'Siqi' living in northern Panjiang District [Jianshui County], neighboring a Xiqi area of Huaning County."   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 13,000 Xiqi (pronounced "Shee-chee") people live in the Zhuoqi Mountains of Huaning County in central Yunnan Province. In Tonghongdian District, the Xiqi live mainly in the villages of Suomeizao and Dapozuo. In Panxi District the Xiqi inhabit the area in and around Yide, Fagao, Dayaxi, and Longtanying villages. In Huaxi District the Xiqi can be found in and around Xishajing and Dujiacun villages. Some Xiqi also live in Shanzhi and Qize villages in south central Qinglong District. Others live on Denglou Mountain in Chengjiao District. All of these places are in Yuxi Prefecture. In addition, "the only hint of Xiqi living in Honghe Prefecture is a people referred to as 'Siqi' living in northern Panjiang District [Jianshui County], neighboring a Xiqi area of Huaning County.".   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.07 %)
0.15 %
Ethnic Religions
94.85 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sani (18,000 speakers)
Language Code ysn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sani (18,000 speakers)
Language Code ysn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sani

Primary Language:  Sani

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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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