Tanglang in China

People Name:	Tanglang
Country:	China
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	1,400
World Population:	1,400
Primary Language:	Tanglang
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Tibeto-Burman, other
Affinity Bloc:	Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Tanglang tribe has been officially included as part of the Yi nationality in China. In the 1920s one study in Lijiang County alone listed 26 different minority groups. The Tanglang believe they are a unique people group, with their own set of customs and their own language. The name Tanglang may mean "praying mantis" in Chinese.

Some Tanglang claim that they migrated to their present location about 200 years ago. They traveled on horseback from an unspecified location in the north and settled in the verdant basin, unoccupied at the time. Other Tanglang say that they have always lived in their present location. Despite living in the vicinity of minority groups such as the Naxi, Pumi, and Bai, the Tanglang have managed to preserve their own distinct culture and customs.

What Are Their Lives Like?

A massive earthquake rocked Lijiang County on 3 February 1996, killing 300 people, injuring 40,000, and leaving 300,000 homeless. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the Tanglang area. Many of their homes were destroyed, and because they are desperately poor, they have expended much energy since that time repairing their homes and trying to get their lives back to normal.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Every year the whole Tanglang community gathers to offer sacrifices to a sacred Mountain god. They believe a demon lives inside the largest mountains in the region. The demon must be placated for their lives to prosper and for no ill fortune to come their way. The Tanglang had a sacred pagoda, but it was destroyed in the 1996 earthquake. They make a pilgrimage to their sacred mountain every 13th day of the fifth lunar month. They offer sacrifices to the Mountain god.

The Tanglang have never appeared in any previous ethnolinguistic people group lists of China. They are a completely unevangelized and unknown group. The Tanglang's remote location has prevented outside Christians from having any contact with them. The nearest significant Christian community to them are the Lisu believers farther to the west.

What Are Their Needs?

The Tanglang people need a revelation of the one true God who created and commands creation and that he sent his very own son to purchase their freedom for eternity.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord would send laborers to the Tanglang people, even among believers in China. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open their spiritual eyes so they can see Jesus.
Pray that the Lord would awaken spiritual hunger in them to seek the truth, leading them to Jesus himself.
Pray that an awakening in the people will be contagious and the entire community would find Christ together.