Tuvan in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Tibetan)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Tuvan in China are a diaspora group who migrated to their present location in the early 1800s. Although the Tuva were "discovered" as a distinct people by the Chinese authorities in 1986, they are still officially classified as part of the Mongolian nationality.

The Tuvan in China separated from the main Tuvan population in the early 1800s, when a group migrated to the Altai region of Xinjiang. Today their language is different from Tuva in Russia and Mongolia, and they have become their own distinct people group. In the late 1800s the Tuva in China started to call themselves Mongolians "to avoid oppression by the then ruling Qing Dynasty, and to enjoy the favored status of the Mongolians, who were allies of the Manchurian court." Tuvan was declared an independent state by the Tzarist government in Russia in 1912; at the same time Mongolia gained independence from China. Freedom was short-lived, however. Tuvan became a Russian protectorate in 1914.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tuvan do not live in yurts as do the Mongolians, "but in square houses built of logs with a roof plastered with thick mud." Chinese scholars note that the Tuva "speak Mongolian with outsiders and have adopted many of the manners and customs of the surrounding Mongolian tribes, but they speak their own Turkic language among themselves."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tuvan in all three of the countries they inhabit adhere to Tibetan Buddhism. They were converted by Tibetan missionaries in the 1700s, although shamans and mediums are still active among the Tuvan communities in China. Most Tuva youth in China now consider themselves atheists.

Very few Tuvan in China have ever heard the name of Christ. The situation among the Tuvan in Russia is better, with a reported "registered evangelical churches." One Tuvan believer in Russia was martyred. His death was reported on television, causing a growth of interest in the gospel among many people. One Christian handed a Mongolian New Testament to a Tuva girl in China. "She started reading and wouldn't let up, walking away towards the hills with her treasure."


What Are Their Needs?

The Tuvan people need to accept the love of the only savior so they can walk in true joy and fulfillment that comes from knowing Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to show himself far more powerful than any other spirit.
Pray for signs and wonders to take place and that this would testify of the power and authority of the name of Jesus.
Pray for wisdom in discipleship with rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Pray for bold, compassionate workers to be sent to them.
Pray for revival to spread through Tuvan communities, transforming them by the love of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Tuvan in China.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tuvan
People Name in Country Tuvan
Alternate Names Altai Tuva; Altai Uriangkhai; Diba; Monchak; Monjak; Mungak; Shor; Soyod; Soyon; Soyot; Tokha; Tuba; Tuvin; Tuvinian; Tuwa; Urinkhai; Uryangkhai
Population this Country 4,300
Population all Countries 341,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 15668
ROP3 Code 110333
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 The Tuva inhabit the region where Russia, Mongolia and China intersect. The majority reside in the Tuva Republic of Russia, radiating out from the capital of Kyzl. Many also live in north-west Mongolia, especially in the Hovsgol and Hovd Aimags, and a small number reside in the Xingiang Region of north-west China.   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
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 The Tuva inhabit the region where Russia, Mongolia and China intersect. The majority reside in the Tuva Republic of Russia, radiating out from the capital of Kyzl. Many also live in north-west Mongolia, especially in the Hovsgol and Hovd Aimags, and a small number reside in the Xingiang Region of north-west China..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Primary Religion: Buddhism (Tibetan)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
85.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tuvan (4,300 speakers)
Language Code tyv   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tuvan (4,300 speakers)
Language Code tyv   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tuvan

Primary Language:  Tuvan

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1996)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2002)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2011-2017)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tuva Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Holy Bible in Tuvan Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tuvan YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Библиядан Чуруктарлыг Чугаалар (Tuvan kids Bible) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tuvan YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Библиядан Чуруктарлыг Чугаалар (Children's Bible in Tuvan) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Ыдыктыг Библия тыва дылда (Bible in Tuvan) Institute for Bible Translation
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation
Photo Source zoetnet - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
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