The Qi Li are one of five distinct tribes of the official Li nationality. "The women of the Ki [Qi] ... like those of all the Hainan tribes and sub-tribes, wore dress peculiar to their region. Their silver ornaments differed in design, and the headdress was a turban or sometimes a tasseled handkerchief."
The Qi Li have a long history of being bullied by Chinese landowners. Many chose to live back in the mountains beyond the reach of their oppressors, while those who remained in the valleys were gradually assimilated to Chinese culture and language.
Until recently divorce was not prohibited among the Li. "A [Li] widow cannot return to her parents; this is supposed to discourage prostitution and promote marriage."
The Qi Li living in more remote villages have many superstitions. They believe demons live in nature, especially in large mountains and waterfalls. In 1937 the Qi would not allow a Western traveler to visit a nearby waterfall, claiming it was the home of the devil.
The Qi Li are an unreached people group. Few have ever been approached with the gospel. The foundation of the American Presbyterian Mission on Hainan Island was laid by Carl C. Jeremiassen, a native of Denmark. He went to Hainan in 1881 as an independent, self-supporting missionary. "During that year he made a complete circuit of the island, treating the sick and distributing Chinese literature wherever he visited." To the Qi Li, however, who had no prior knowledge of Christianity, this scattered seed fell on rocky soil. Decades later they told another foreigner about a man who had visited them long before and "who had stayed for only an hour. His name they did not know, but he distributed many papers showing a strange God with a beard!" Today there are possibly several hundred believers among the Qi Li; however, the few churches are weak and nominal.
They need to lay their hope in Jesus and the guaranteed salvation that comes from his blood sacrifice. They need to be educated on why Jesus is more than a prophet and how He is truly the Son of God and our Lord.
Pray that believers would settle among this people group and share the ways of the savior with them.
Pray for all Christians in this location to learn to grow more in love for one another as a testimony of Christ’s goodness.
Pray for grace and truth to be instilled in their hearts.
Scripture Prayers for the Li, Qi in China.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
