Alu in China

People Name:	Alu
Country:	China
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	4,000
World Population:	15,600
Primary Language:	Nisu, Eastern
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Tibeto-Burman, other
Affinity Bloc:	Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

During the Tang and Song dynasties (581-1276), the various Yi groups in southern China were known by the Chinese as the "Seven tribes of Wuman." They were part of a much larger Tibeto-Burman group. According to Chinese records, the Wuman started to migrate southward into Yunnan during the second century BC and gradually splintered into the numerous different tribes and clans that make up the Yi nationality today.

Because of their extreme geographic isolation, the Alu are not well known. They have little contact with the outside world. The Alu have been placed under the official Yi nationality in China, even though they speak their own distinct language and possess their own unique customs and style of dress. They are also known as Luwu and Luowu.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Alu families live in packed-dirt homes with flat roofs. They use the flat roofs as a place to dry grain. Alu homes usually have three large rooms. The central room is used as a living room, dining room, and an animistic worship center. The other two rooms serve as a kitchen and a bedroom. In some areas, the Alu slap water buffalo manure on the sides of their homes and leave it to dry in the sun. The dried manure is later used for fuel and also for insulation from the weather in the winter. Among other things, the Alu are known for their homebrewed whiskey. It is common during special occasions and festivals to see the entire community of Alu people, including small children, completely drunk. Alcoholism has a strong hold on the Alu and contributes to a short life expectancy among them.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Alu are animists and polytheists and, as a result, feel the need to appease many gods and ward off many forms of evil. On the first day of the year they sacrifice two chickens at every village entrance. They pray to a dragon spirit, asking it to not allow demons to enter the village in the coming year.

The Alu are a totally unreached people group. Yuanyang County, where the majority of Alu live, counts about 2,000 believers among the Yuanyang Nisu. These believers live some distance away from the Alu, however, and have not attempted to take the gospel to them at this stage. Chinese evangelists visited the Alu in March 2000, but reported, "The Alu couldn't speak Mandarin and didn't want to listen to the gospel."

What Are Their Needs?

The Alu people need to accept the warm embrace of the only Savior so they can enjoy spiritually meaningful lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for the spiritual blindness and bondage to the evil one to be removed so they can understand and respond to Christ.

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.

Pray that the Alu people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.