Iu Mien May 12

Location: More than 980,000 Iu Mien Mountains) Yao. Linguist live scattered across four provinces Herbert Purnell explains, (and approximately 150 counties) of “The Iu Mien have been southern . The majority are profoundly influenced by the located in , where the Iu Mien Chinese over many centuries comprise 50% (615,000 people) of of contact. Perhaps the most the total Yao population.1 Others are significant development from scattered in parts of , these contacts has been the and provinces. An additional evolution and preservation of 400,000 Iu Mien live in Southeast Taoist rituals written in Asia, especially in , , and .… The Iu . Iu Mien refugee Mien have therefore communities are also found in several possessed for several Western nations.2 centuries what many other Asian peoples only dream of Identity: The Iu Mien are the largest — an extensive written of the groups who form the official literature.”5 Yao nationality in China. This group calls themselves Iu Mien or simply Customs: The Han Chinese Mien, but in China they are widely call the Iu Mien Pan Yao after known by their Chinese name Pan their legendary ancestor and Yao. Little was known about this pioneer of the Yao race, Pan 6 isolated group until recent years. In Hu. Pan can be traced in Midge Conner 1937 one traveler commented, “In historical Chinese records as far back Religion: The Iu Mien are Daoists who these lofty areas are the aboriginal as the fifth century AD. The Chronicles also worship their ancestors. They tribes called the Iu people, the ‘Red of the Later Han Dynasty (“Hou Han believe Pan created the heavens and Indians’ of China. They are yet to be Shu”) “tells the story of Pan Hu, the the earth. “After the death of King studied in detail.”3 pet dog of Emperor Gao Xin Pan… the feudal court allowed his (2435–2365 BC) who killed his lord’s descendants to worship and make a Language: The is arch-enemy, General Wu, the chief of picture of him with human features.”9 remarkably uniform considering the the Quan Rong tribe. The dog was wide dispersion of its speakers. In rewarded by marrying a young Christianity: Although one source 1987, Iu Mien able to speak their princess.”7 Their descendants, known estimates 10,000 Iu Mien/Yao language numbered 692,000 (97%).4 as “the race of Pan Hu,” became the Christians in China,10 the true number The remainder now speak Chinese. forefathers of the Iu Mien. At some is probably much lower. In recent time the Imperial Court issued The years, at least 1,000 “Red Head” Yao History: The Iu Mien have a long King Ping’s Charter. This proclamation (an Iu Mien group) living in Jinping history of fleeing oppression. This was designed to reward the Yao by County, Yunnan Province, have come explains why the Chinese sometimes perpetually releasing them from to Christ because of FEBC gospel call them the Guoshan (Crossing the paying taxes.8 radio broadcasts in their language.11

7 in New Zealand; Also in Taiwan, Overview of the Status of Evangelization Switzerland, Australia Iu Mien Location: Guangxi; Yunnan; 91% Countries: China, Vietnam, Guizhou; Jiangxi12 GUIZHOU Thailand, USA, Laos, France, •Duyun Status: YUNNAN •Guilin Canada, Myanmar, Denmark, Officially included under Yao Liuzhou • New Zealand, Taiwan, Switzerland, Wenshan NG Language: Hmong-Mien, Mienic, • GUANGXI GDO and Australia •Nanning GUAN Mian-Jin 8% VIETNAM Pronunciation: “Yoo-Mee-en” 1% Scale Dialects: 0 0 KM 400 Other Names: Pan Yao, Youmian, Religion: Daoism, Ancestor A B C Yumian, Yiu Mien, Mien, Mian, Myen, Worship, Polytheism, Christianity Population in China: Highland Yao, Dao, Mien (Guangxi- Christians: 1,500 A = Have never heard the gospel 712,000 (1987) Yunnan), Guoshan Yao, Man Scripture: New Testament 1975; B = Were evangelized but did not 980,400 (2000) become Christians Population Source: Portions 193213 1,264,700 (2010) 712,000 (1987 LAC); C = Are adherents to any form of Jesus film: In progress Location: Guangxi, Yunnan, 300,000 in Vietnam; Christianity Guizhou, Jiangxi 40,000 in Thailand; Gospel Recordings: Yao #00417; Religion: Daoism 23,000 in USA; Tuyao: Bama Dongshan #04975; Christians: 1,500 18,000 in Laos; Yao: Pang; Yao: Bangu 2,000 in France; Christian Broadcasting: 100 in Canada; Available (FEBC) 100 in Myanmar; ROPAL code: IUM00 12 in Denmark;

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