Hmu, Southern in China

Introduction / History

Records suggest the ancestors of the Hmu already had a well-developed culture in the Yellow River valley region of Central China more than 2,000 years ago. Chi You, their leader, founded their religion, invented a detailed code of criminal law, and initiated the use of arms.

The Hmu are part of the official Miao nationality. Miao is a Chinese term and is not used by the various groups that are termed "Miao." Hmu is the name this group calls itself. For countless centuries most Southern Hmu have lived alongside the Dong minority. In some places the distinction between the Hmu and Dong has become blurred. The two groups often wear identical ethnic dress and celebrate the same festivals.

Southern Hmu is the second largest of the three Hmu languages in China. In northern Guangxi it has been heavily influenced by the Dong and Zhuang languages.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Southern Hmu are unable to attend school because their communities need every family member to work in the fields. In other areas the cost of schooling is beyond what most families can afford.

What Are Their Beliefs?

During the annual Hmu Worship of the Door Festival the door is closed at sunset, and a young female pig is sacrificed. The pig's blood is drained into a hole under the door jamb. The family then observes a long period of silence. Eventually the family members retire for the night, except the father and oldest son. They stay up until just before daybreak, solemnly reciting the phrase, "We worship thee, O door. Keep away sickness, keep away disease, keep away slander and all that is injurious."

The Catholic church commenced work in Guizhou in the 1600s. In 1870, 300 Hmu from a diaspora group were baptized at Zhengfeng in Guizhou Province. In 1927, Carlo, the first Vicaire Apostolique at Anlong, baptized 150 Hmu believers. Protestant work among the Southern Hmu was slow to develop. In 1950 Ivan Allbut wrote, "In a tribe conservatively estimated to include 500,000 people, there are about 100 who have confessed the Lord in baptism. They have the Black Miao [Hmu] New Testament in their language but are still waiting for missionaries to teach them how to use it."

What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people will be lost in this life and the life to come. They need someone to go to them as Christ-bearers.

Prayer Points

Pray for the spiritual blindness and bondage to the evil one to be removed so they can understand and respond to Christ.

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.

Pray that the Southern Hmu people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.

Text Source:   Joshua Project