Qiang, Yadu October 11 Location: Yadu Qiang is GANSU spoken by more people than •Songpan Barkam any other Qiang language in • •Maoxian China. The majority of the •Wenchuan •Chengdu TIBET •Litang approximately 30,000 Yadu •Kangding SICHUAN Qiang live in the Chibusu, Yadu, Qugu, and Weicheng Scale districts of Maoxian County; 0 KM 160 and in the Waboliangzi and Population in China: Se’ergu districts of Heishui 23,000 (1990) County farther to the north.1 29,650 (2000) 38,200 (2010) Location: Sichuan Identity: Yadu Qiang is one Religion: Tibetan Buddhism of 11 groups that make up Christians: None Known the official Qiang nationality in China. Overview of the Yadu Qiang Language: Yadu Qiang is a Countries: China part of the Northern Qiang Pronunciation: language group. Although “Chee-Ung-Yah-doo” varieties of the Northern Other Names: Chiang: Yadu, Yadu, Ya-tu Ch’iang Qiang appear to be more Population Source: 23,000 (1998 homogeneous than the Liu Guangkun – 1990 figure); Southern Qiang languages, Out of a total Qiang population of which are very distinct 198,252 (1990 census) Location: W Sichuan: from each other, Yadu Maoxian County: Chibusu, Yadu, Qiang speakers must still Paul Hattaway Qugu, and Weicheng districts; use Chinese or Tibetan to snatching. They place a follow Tibetan Buddhism, Heishui County: Waboliangzi and communicate with other number of rocks on the mixed with polytheism and Se’ergu districts Status: Northern Qiang speakers. ground and while one animism. A belief in the Officially included under Qiang person guards them, others power of the spirit world Language: Sino-Tibetan, History: Although the Qiang try to snatch them. Whoever pervades all Qiang groups. Tibeto-Burman, Qiangic, Qiang, are no longer considered a gets the most wins the Prayer flags and prayer Northern Qiang matriarchal society, women contest. Another Qiang beads are two of the Dialects: 0 still play a leading role in favorite is the log-pushing common Buddhist symbols Religion: Tibetan Buddhism, Polytheism, Animism agriculture and usually have contest. Two people grab they have borrowed from the Christians: None known the final say in the family. the log and try to push each Tibetans. Scripture: None Young couples often live other out of a circle. Jesus film: None with the wife’s family after Whoever succeeds wins. Christianity: Despite having Gospel Recordings: None the wedding. The Qiang have their own the largest population of the unique cultural arts and Qiang groups in Sichuan, Christian Broadcasting: None Customs: Until recently, crafts. Embroidery is a there are no known ROPAL code: None early marriages were favorite pastime of the Christians among the Yadu Status of Evangelization common among the Qiang. women. The Qiang enjoy Qiang. Those in Maoxian It was not unusual for a boy singing and dancing as well. County live nearer the Qiang 95% to marry between the ages “Wine Song,” “Plate Song,” believers, but there are of seven and ten; and “Mountain Song,” major linguistic differences women between 12 and 18. “Guozhuang,” and the that create an obstacle to Qiang women sing a “Leather Drum” dances are the Yadu Qiang’s 5% sarcastic song to their very popular. These are understanding of the gospel 0% guests. “It is the sixth played in accompaniment of from Southern Qiang A B C moon, and the wheat gongs, tambourines, sonas, speakers. The Yadu Qiang A = Have never heard the gospel flowers are blooming in the and bamboo flutes. living in Heishui County have B = Were evangelized but did not field. My husband is still an become Christians even less chance of hearing C = Are adherents to any form of infant drinking milk. How Religion: Most of the Yadu the gospel. They live Christianity long will it be before he Qiang living in Heishui alongside Tibetan nomads grows up?” One of the County have been thoroughly who too are completely games the Qiang play at assimilated to Tibetan untouched by Christianity. festivals is called egg culture and religion. They 456 QIANG, YADU.