Qiang, Jiaochang in China

People Name:	Qiang, Jiaochang
Country:	China
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	32,000
World Population:	32,000
Primary Language:	Qiang, Southern
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.70 %
Evangelicals:	0.30 %
Scripture:	Portions
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Tibeto-Burman, other
Affinity Bloc:	Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Between AD 600 and 900 many Qiang were assimilated by the Han and Tibetan cultures, leaving only a small group intact. This group is now known as the Qiang nationality.

The name Qiang is a Chinese term. The Qiang refer to themselves as Rimai in Maoxian County; Rima in Mao Township and Chibusu District; and Ma in Lixian County. "The meaning of these words is 'the righteousness of people'."

Jiaochang is spoken by more people than any other dialect of Southern Qiang in China. The linguistic diversity among the various Qiang groups scattered throughout Sichuan is bewildering. Captain William Gill was one of the first Westerners ever to pass through Qiang territory in the 1870s. Gill compiled a brief wordlist from a Qiangic language, but stated, "This orthography can convey but a feeble idea of the astounding noises the people make in their throats to produce these words."

What Are Their Lives Like?

Although they may struggle to understand each other's language, there are strong cultural ties between the various Qiang groups, including the mutual possession of stone towers. The Qiang believe their common ancestors constructed them.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of Qiang people are polytheists and animists, deifying mountains, sheep, trees, storms, fire, etc. Others are followers of Tibetan Buddhism (especially those living close to Tibetan communities) and Daoism.

There are approximately 100 Christians among the Jiaochang Qiang dialect group. They are the result of pre-1949 work by both Protestant and Catholic missionaries. In 1998 the Christian mission Global Recordings Network produced the first Christian audio recording in a Qiang language. It was recorded within the territory of the Jiaochang Qiang language. Apart from the labors of Thomas Torrance, mission work among the Qiang includes a Catholic church that was established in Maoxian in 1898 by French missionaries. In 1906 a British missionary, whose Chinese name was Feigesheng, preached in Maoxian. In 1906 and 1909, the Catholic Church of England established a church, hospital, and school in the Qiang area. In 1918 an Englishman named Maosenwei also founded a school, medical clinic and churches.

What Are Their Needs?

They need to be overwhelmed by the goodness of God, as they see his hand in nature.

Prayer Points

Pray that their eyes would be opened to the emptiness of worshipping things and objects, in contrast to worshipping God, who would have a personal relationship with them and take heed to their prayers.
Pray that the roots of Christian missionary work in the past would grow again in their communities.
Pray that their hearts would be softened to accept the gospel and put their faith in Christ.
Pray that God would raise up missionaries and national believers to have a burden to reach the Jiaochang Qiang people with the love of Jesus.