Bai, Lama in China

The Bai, Lama have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Lama are one of several distinct language groups combined to form the official Nu nationality in China. In the late 1800s, their villages were raided and the Lama were taken as slaves. Today, the Lama in Bijiang retain vestiges of a patriarchal clan system. Their homes are constructed on steep 75 degree slopes. The region is extremely mountainous, with the highest peaks rising more than 3,000 meters (9,840 ft.) above sea level.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Lama have a custom of naming a man three times during his lifetime. The first time occurs just after birth. A male elder, usually a grandfather, gives the baby a name which will be used all his life. At the age of 14 or 15 he is given another name which can only be used among his friends and people of his own generation. When a man gets married, he is named a third time. His name is connected to his father's by prefixing his name with the last sound of his father's name.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bai Lama practice ethnic religions involving animism and ancestor worship. In the past, clan leaders among the Lama also doubled as the village shamans. Their main job was to practice divination to ensure a bountiful harvest.


What Are Their Needs?

There are a small number of Catholic believers among the Lama in China. Most of the Bai Lama still need to hear about God’s gift of eternal life in Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to reach the Bai Lama with his message of salvation and eternal life.
Pray for their hearts to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for a growing movement of believers among the Bai Lama who will boldly share the gospel and disciple those around them.


Scripture Prayers for the Bai, Lama in China.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bai, Lama
People Name in Country Bai, Lama
Pronunciation bye LAH-ma
Alternate Names Bodh; Lamba; Lima; Losso; Namba; लामा
Population this Country 79,000
Population all Countries 79,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 12964
ROP3 Code 105606
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 1,000 Lama are located within a thin strip of land along the China-Myanmar border, primarily in and around the town of Bijiang in Yunnan Province. A 1977 figure placed a total of 3,000 Lama in both China and Myanmar. Their villages are constructed on steep 75 degree slopes. Yesterday's dangerous cane bridges across the turbulent river have given way to today's chain and rope bridges. The region is extremely mountainous, with the highest peaks rising more than 3,000 meters (9,840 ft.) above sea level. "Dense virgin forests of pines and firs cover the mountain slopes and are the habitat of tigers, leopards, bears, deer, giant hawks and pheasants."   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 1,000 Lama are located within a thin strip of land along the China-Myanmar border, primarily in and around the town of Bijiang in Yunnan Province. A 1977 figure placed a total of 3,000 Lama in both China and Myanmar. Their villages are constructed on steep 75 degree slopes. Yesterday's dangerous cane bridges across the turbulent river have given way to today's chain and rope bridges. The region is extremely mountainous, with the highest peaks rising more than 3,000 meters (9,840 ft.) above sea level. "Dense virgin forests of pines and firs cover the mountain slopes and are the habitat of tigers, leopards, bears, deer, giant hawks and pheasants.".   Source:  Operation China, 2000

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
10.00 %
Ethnic Religions
87.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
3.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bai, Lama (79,000 speakers)
Language Code lay   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bai, Lama (79,000 speakers)
Language Code lay   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bai, Lama

Primary Language:  Bai, Lama

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2023)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video Jesus film: view in Bai, Lama Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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