Apu in China

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

Introduction / History

The Apu are one of 120 distinct tribes and groups of Yi in China that have been officially combined into the Yi nationality. This great number of groups is the result of war, migrations, and the threat of slavery over the course of many centuries. Conflict has caused small groups like the Apu to leave their homes and move away to more peaceful settings. After being isolated for generations, the Apu developed their own customs, identity and dialect.

The Apu were only "discovered" in the past few years. Apart from the fact that they have been officially included as part of the Yi nationality by the Chinese government, we know little about the Apu.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Yi groups in China celebrate weddings in various ways. An observer recounted how one ceremony took place "on a day chosen in consultation with a shaman for its auspiciousness as determined by its conjunction with the couple's birthdates and those of their parents. The men of the groom's party are greeted by the women of the bride's family, first with witty remarks, then with buckets of water; their faces may be smeared with pepper and soot, and some girls even physically attack them. Once the ice has been broken, the pig and other ingredients for the marriage feast are prepared. After the feast, the bride is taken to the groom's home, with much weeping and protestation. For three to five days the bride remains at the groom's parents' home, during which time the groom and bride are separated. The bride then returns to her parents' home for a 'waiting-at-home-period' that may last for one or two years or until she is pregnant. During this time, the bride takes lovers - often cousins - and the groom must not only bring presents if he wishes to have sexual intercourse with her but must usually use force to do so. This is a probationary period, which allows both parties to reconsider the match and allows the woman to prove her childbearing abilities."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Apu worship a host of spirits that they believe control the life of their communities. These spirits include an honored dragon god.

The Apu are a people group in dire need of the gospel. Alcoholism and sexual immorality have affected the Apu so that few adults do not live in bondage to one or both of these. Although many Hmong and Iu Mien living in Jinping County have come to faith in Christ in recent years through gospel radio broadcasts in their languages, they live some distance away from the Apu and have little contact with them.


What Are Their Needs?

The Apu people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers them in John 10:10.


Prayer Points

Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead them from darkness to light.

Pray for signs and wonders to happen among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.

Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Apu in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Apu
People Name in Country Apu
Pronunciation Ah-poo
Alternate Names
Population this Country 3,300
Population all Countries 3,300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18400
ROP3 Code 113994
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 Approximately 2,500 Apu people were counted in a recent study of the peoples of Honghe Prefecture in Yunnan Province. They live in one small area: the western part of Maandi District within Jinping County. They may also spill across the border into northern Vietnam.   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 Approximately 2,500 Apu people were counted in a recent study of the peoples of Honghe Prefecture in Yunnan Province. They live in one small area: the western part of Maandi District within Jinping County. They may also spill across the border into northern Vietnam..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
95.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Nisu, Eastern (3,300 speakers)
Language Code nos   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Nisu, Eastern (3,300 speakers)
Language Code nos   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Nisu, Eastern

Primary Language:  Nisu, Eastern

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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