Lahu in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Lahu are one of China's 55 official minority groups. The name Lahu reportedly means "to roast tiger meat by fire," although others say the name has no meaning. Their skill as hunters has given them their nickname of Musso, which is used throughout Southeast Asia. Since 1890, when the Lahu surrendered their rebellion against their Yi and Tai landlords, they have been viewed as cowardly by other minority groups in Yunnan. An old Lahu man said, "Ever since the defeat, the Lahu lost heart and were despised by other groups."
The Lahu have a long history of war and armed conflict against their oppressors. They rebelled more than 20 times throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The region they occupied west of the Lancang River was branded "a place of constant riot."


What Are Their Lives Like?

Lahu women give birth in the privacy of their own rooms. Three days after the birth they invite old people to a small feast where they name the child. However, if an unexpected visitor should come in the meantime, he or she is given the honor of naming the newborn. When a Lahu dies, three shots are fired into the air to scare away the spirits and to announce the news to the village. Lahu communities have long been plagued by stealing and rampant alcoholism. "It is common to see a group of Lahu drunk and beating their fists on the roadside and shouting as they are led homeward."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lahu believe in a supreme god named G'ui Sha. Many Lahu villages have a temple consecrated to this deity. This belief in One Supreme Being played a large part in their mass conversion to Christianity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Lahu people have been blessed with the gospel. They need to take the name of Christ to others.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among the Lahu people, making them a city on a hill to the tribes and peoples nearby.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out Lahu workers to those in Yunnan Province who do not know about the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Laha people with an abundant crop as proof of his power and love.


Scripture Prayers for the Lahu in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Jungles of Southern Yunnan

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Lahu
People Name in Country Lahu
Pronunciation LAH-hoo
Alternate Names Black Lahu; Kaixien; La Hu; La Hủ; Lahuna; Laku; Launa; Lohei; Luohei; Mooso; Muhso; Mussar; Musso; Mussuh; Mussur; Namen; Red Lahu; White Lahu
Population this Country 314,000
Population all Countries 591,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 12949
ROP3 Code 105576
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 475,000 Lahu inhabit seven counties in the western part of Yunnan Province. Their villages are often situated on mountains at least 1,500 meters (4,920 ft.) above sea level. In addition, significant numbers of Lahu are located in Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.   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 475,000 Lahu inhabit seven counties in the western part of Yunnan Province. Their villages are often situated on mountains at least 1,500 meters (4,920 ft.) above sea level. In addition, significant numbers of Lahu are located in Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos..   Source:  Operation China, 2000

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 33.00 %)
55.00 %
Ethnic Religions
40.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Lahu (314,000 speakers)
Language Code lhu   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Shehleh
Dialect Code 12683   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Lahu (314,000 speakers)
Language Code lhu   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Shehleh
Dialect Code 12683   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Lahu
Photo Source Anonymous 
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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