The Southern Mashan Miao are a group who migrated south following persecution against them in the past. The Chinese Canon of Shuen records one Miao group, the "San Miao," being driven into the mountains of San Wei around 4,000 years ago.
Although the government considers them a part of the Miao nationality, the Southern Mashan Miao are a distinct people group. They live in small and compact communities, speak their own language, and have little to do with the outside world.
Wangmo County, the sole area where the Southern Mashan Miao live, was largely neglected by mission organizations in the pre-communist era. There are a few Catholic believers among the Bouyei minority to the north, but the Miao and Bouyei have little contact with each other and speak different languages. Most Southern Mashan Miao cannot speak more than basic Mandarin; fewer still are able to read or write Chinese.
Recreation among the Southern Mashan Miao is largely centered on community gatherings and traditional cultural activities. Because they live in small, close-knit villages with little interaction with the outside world, leisure time is often spent together rather than individually.
Music and dance are important forms of enjoyment. Like other Miao groups, they participate in traditional singing, dancing, and the playing of simple instruments, especially during village celebrations.
Festivals provide the primary outlet for recreation and social life. During these times, people gather to share meals, perform dances, and take part in communal ceremonies that blend celebration with religious meaning.
Storytelling and the passing down of oral traditions also play a recreational role, as the Miao have historically preserved their history and beliefs through songs, chants, and narratives shared within the community.
The Miao believe there was a time when dragons guarded their families, crops, animals, and trees against disease and pestilence. The people regularly sacrificed chickens to the dragons and burned paper money to procure their favor.
During funeral chants, which predate all Christian influence, many Miao groups refer to an outer place of darkness where the spirit of the deceased must travel. They believe it is a horrible place of demons, torments, and gnashing of teeth. Legend claims there was once a time when the Miao were able to climb to heaven on a huge fir tree, but the gods struck it down. Left with no other way to communicate with heaven, the people in Yanpai village of Xijiang County in Guizhou climbed to the top of the highest mountain and thrust a bamboo branch into its crest, signaling to the gods, "All is not well." The Southern Mashan Miao are animists, living in fear of evil spirits.
Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.
Pray that the Southern Mashan Miao people will be adopted through the People Group Adoption program so that they will have regular prayer and ultimately workers among them.
Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the Southern Mashan Miao 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.
Scripture Prayers for the Miao, Mashan Southern in China.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
