Nosu, Yinuo in China

People Name:	Nosu, Yinuo
Country:	China
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	668,000
World Population:	668,000
Primary Language:	Nuosu
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.05 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Nosu
Affinity Bloc:	Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Yinuo Nosu took slaves and fought against the Chinese authorities and other Nosu groups for centuries, until they were disarmed, and the slave system was abolished by the communists when the PLA arrived in 1956. Still today, the Yinuo Nosu remain an aggressive and fierce people. People still today are very much aware of which caste they are from, and marriages between the castes, still in 21st century, are rather an exception although there are a few among the more educated people.

Yinuo Nosu is a distinct language within the larger Nosu group in southern China. The Nosu are officially considered part of the Yi nationality. There are numerous subgroups and clans among the Nosu. One study reports "24 nationalities of Black Nosu Yi in the Liang Shan." The Yinuo Nosu should not be confused with the Jino ethnic group of southern Yunnan Province whose name is also sometimes spelled Yinuo.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Because of the distinctive style of dress formerly worn by the Yinuo Nosu, the region they inhabit is generally known as the "broad-legged trousers region." In the past, the striking characteristic of men's garments was the broad bottoms of the trouser legs. The men no longer where these in daily life. Sometimes there are culture festivals where traditional costumes are worn. The women's traditional dress, however, is still very much in use and can be seen on the streets every day. Women also like to wear wide pleated skirts. The number of pleats sometimes comes to more than one hundred. Girls wear multicolored head scarfs made of black cloth. Married women increase the layers of their head scarfs. After having a baby, they wear leaf-shaped bonnets.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The various branches of the Nosu have a detailed legend of a great flood. They say there were once three brothers. "Because the eldest was undisciplined, God sent a messenger to the sons to warn them of the flood. The oldest wanted to kill the messenger. The second son bound the messenger and asked him questions. The third politely asked him why the flood was coming. The youngest son, named Dum, built a boat out of wood in 20 days. Twenty days later the rains came. It rained seven days and nights and flooded the whole earth. The two older sons died. The boat landed in the snowy mountains of Tibet. Dum had three sons who populated the whole earth."

An oral tradition in Yinuo Nosu culture: "Because the eldest [brother] was undisciplined, God sent a messenger to the sons to warn them of the flood. The oldest wanted to kill the messenger. The second son bound the messenger and asked him questions. The third politely asked him why the flood was coming. … The youngest son, named Dum, built a boat out of wood in 20 days. Twenty days later the rains came. It rained seven days and nights and flooded the whole earth. The two older sons died. The boat landed in the snowy mountains of Tibet. Dum had three sons who populated the whole earth."

Despite this and other similarities with biblical stories, few Yinuo Nosu have ever heard the gospel. Intimidating mountains, rugged terrain, and cultural and linguistic barriers have prevented the gospel from spreading to the Yinuo Nosu. Today there are only a few hundred known Catholics among them.

What Are Their Needs?

The Yinuo Nosu people need the guidance of the King of kings. As it stands, they have few chances to hear he even exists.

Prayer Points

Pray that similarities between Nosu myths and the Bible will prove to be "bridges of God" to open them to the gospel.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.