The Hakka, although proud of their cultural differences, have never claimed to be non-Chinese. Many famous Chinese have been Hakka, including Deng Xiaoping, Lee Kwan Yew, and Hong Xiuquan (the leader of the Taiping Rebellion).
There is much speculation concerning the historical roots of the Hakka. Some claim that they were the first Chinese people to arrive in China. Others claim that the Hakka are the descendants of the Xiongnu tribe. This much is agreed upon: At various stages between the fourth and thirteenth centuries AD, large numbers of people were forced to flee their homes in the war-torn Yellow River valley to seek refuge in southern China. These war refugees came to be known as Kejia - a Hakka word meaning "strangers" or "guests." When the Mongol hordes swept across China in the thirteenth century, many Hakka fled to southern China and Taiwan to escape the carnage.
In Taiwan, the younger generations of Hakka have largely assimilated into society with the rest of the island because of educational needs. Most Hakka communities don't have high school or colleges, so young Hakka have to attend school in bigger cities where they usually end up settling. Older generations of Hakka still live predominately in rural communities outside of bigger cities. While most understand Mandarin, the national language in Taiwan, their heart language is really Hakka, so that's been a barrier in communicating the gospel to them. The Hakka have their own cuisine, architecture and dress.
They have their own cuisine, architecture and dress. Their spiritual beliefs are very similar to other Han Chinese groups. At one time there were Hakka villages in Hong Kong, but that part of the world is becoming increasingly urban.
They don't adhere to a strict organized religion, but most devoutly worship family ancestors. Some are Animists and there is renewed interest in Shamanism and Buddhism. There is a Hakka Church in Taiwan, but the numbers are static. This Church is not growing.
The Hakka people in Taiwan need hearts that are open to Jesus Christ and a willingness to repent and live for Him so that they can enjoy His abundant life.
Pray for hearts and minds that are open to adhering to the ways of Jesus Christ.
Pray for more Holy Spirit anointed believers to go to the Hakka in Taiwan.
Pray for leaders in the Taiwanese Hakka community to open the doors to hearing the gospel.
Pray this will be the decade where there is a powerful movement to Christ among the Hakka in Taiwan.
Scripture Prayers for the Han Chinese, Hakka in Taiwan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Global Prayer Digest: 2007-07-07 |
Han profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
People Name General | Han Chinese, Hakka |
People Name in Country | Han Chinese, Hakka |
Natural Name | Hakka Chinese |
Pronunciation |
HAH-kah
|
Alternate Names | Han Chinese; Hokka; Ke; Kechia; Kehia; Kejia; Kek; Khek; Majia; Totok; Xinmin |
Population this Country | 4,313,000 |
Population all Countries | 44,197,000 |
Total Countries | 23 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 86 |
People ID | 12054 |
ROP3 Code | 103691 |
Country | Taiwan | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Miaoli and Taoyuan counties: on northwest coast; Hsinchu and New Taipei municipalities; Kaohsiung and Pintung counties: on south coast. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Taiwan |
Region | Asia, Northeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Miaoli and Taoyuan counties: on northwest coast; Hsinchu and New Taipei municipalities; Kaohsiung and Pintung counties: on south coast.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
17.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.42 %) |
2.10 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
70.90 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
10.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Chinese, Hakka |
Language Code | hak Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Chinese, Hakka |
Language Code | hak Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Chinese, Hakka |
Primary Language: Chinese, Hakka
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1860-1995) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1883-1993) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1916-2012) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | 婷 尹 - Pixabay |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |