Long in China

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

Introduction / History

Centuries before the Han Chinese conquered Yunnan and migrated into China's southwest frontier, minority peoples had established independent kingdoms. The Ailao Kingdom, ruled by Tai princes, flourished in western Yunnan around the start of the Christian era. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907) the Long were part of the Xie Me Tu people. Along with the Xiqi and Ati, the Long were called White Lolo by the Han Chinese during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties (1271-1911).

Though small in number, the Long people are proud of their ethnicity and are considered a distinct group by other people in the area. The Chinese authorities have not been willing to recognize them separately but included them as part of the large Yi nationality in the 1950s. The Yi classification was created probably to make administration of the numerous tribes in Yunnan an easier task. Instead of having to cater to so many groups and collective needs, the government now only has to deal with one group. The tragedy of such a policy is that groups like the Long now tend "not to exist." Only people living in the immediate area have any awareness of the Long's existence. As a further result, these people have never appeared on any Christian mission lists before.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Long have struggled to retain their traditional customs this century as their culture and ethnicity have been gradually swallowed up and absorbed by the Chinese. The Long claim to have once held their own festivals, but today they have reverted to observing traditional Chinese holidays and celebrations.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most elderly Long are polytheists. They believe a host of spirits control their lives and must be placated in order to have peace and prosperity. Most younger Long have been affected by atheism and no longer observe the rituals of their parents.

Huaning County has largely been neglected by Christians throughout the centuries. A few Catholic and Three-Self churches exist in the townships, but very little vibrant witness has ever gone out to the inhabitants of the region. Although gospel recordings are available in their language, the numerically-small Long tribe remains a Christ-less people.


What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.


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 Long in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Long
People Name in Country Long
Pronunciation Long
Alternate Names
Population this Country 1,700
Population all Countries 1,700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18563
ROP3 Code 114180
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 Long are one of the smallest ethnolinguistic people groups in China. Approximately 1,300 of them inhabit five villages (Kazhai, Sheyin, Shemuduo, Suojugou, and Pusulu) in the Xincheng District of Huaning County. Huaning is part of the Yuxi Prefecture in central Yunnan Province. Yunnan is easily the most ethnically diverse part of China.   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 The Long are one of the smallest ethnolinguistic people groups in China. Approximately 1,300 of them inhabit five villages (Kazhai, Sheyin, Shemuduo, Suojugou, and Pusulu) in the Xincheng District of Huaning County. Huaning is part of the Yuxi Prefecture in central Yunnan Province. Yunnan is easily the most ethnically diverse part of China..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
94.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
6.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sani (1,700 speakers)
Language Code ysn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sani (1,700 speakers)
Language Code ysn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sani

Primary Language:  Sani

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

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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