Southern Bai in China

The Southern Bai have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Mahayana)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Bai were involved in the establishment of the powerful Nanzhao Kingdom which was centered south of Dali. The kingdom grew so strong that they were able to defeat the Tang armies in the mid-700s. The kingdom flourished for 400 years until it collapsed in the tenth century and was replaced by the Kingdom of Dali. Dali, in turn, lasted until AD 1252 when it was overrun and destroyed by the all-conquering Mongol armies.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bai have gradually been assimilated into Chinese culture. Dali has always been famous for its prolific supply of marble, which may have given the people their name (Bai means "white" in Chinese).


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bai are followers of Mahayana Buddhism. The emphasis of Mahayana is on emptiness and that there is no firm reality.


What Are Their Needs?

Bai believers live in rural areas in the mountains and in Fugong County to the west. Most Bai, however, have yet to hear the gospel message. The Southern Bai people need to hear about Jesus Christ and submit to his lordship so they can experience the abundant life he alone offers them.


Prayer Points

Pray for the spiritual blindness and bondage to the evil one to be removed so the Southern Bai can 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 Southern Bai people will have a spiritual hunger and open their hearts to the King of kings.
Pray for a movement of the Southern Bai to Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Bai, Southern in China.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Bai

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Bai, Southern
People Name in Country Bai, Southern
Natural Name Southern Bai
Pronunciation bye
Alternate Names Baihuo; Baini; Baizi; Dali; Labbu; Leme; Minchia; Minkia; Nama; Pai; Whites
Population this Country 671,000
Population all Countries 671,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 13
PeopleID3 10573
ROP3 Code 116833
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 1.5 million Bai were counted in the 1990 Chinese census. Yunnan was devastated by the plague, which began in Dali and lasted from 1812 to 1903. The population of Yunnan was reduced from eight million to three million, and the population of the Bai was severely cut. The Bai live primarily in the Dali Prefecture in central Yunnan. Dali has been continuously inhabited for 3,000 years. More than 120,000 Bai are located in Guizhou Province. Smaller numbers of Bai also live in Sichuan and Hunan provinces.   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 1.5 million Bai were counted in the 1990 Chinese census. Yunnan was devastated by the plague, which began in Dali and lasted from 1812 to 1903. The population of Yunnan was reduced from eight million to three million, and the population of the Bai was severely cut. The Bai live primarily in the Dali Prefecture in central Yunnan. Dali has been continuously inhabited for 3,000 years. More than 120,000 Bai are located in Guizhou Province. Smaller numbers of Bai also live in Sichuan and Hunan provinces..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Bai, Southern in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism (Mahayana)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
72.67 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.13 %)
0.13 %
Ethnic Religions
10.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
17.20 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bai, Southern (671,000 speakers)
Language Code bfs   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bai, Southern (671,000 speakers)
Language Code bfs   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bai, Southern
Photo Source Luca Casartelli - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: Operation China. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024