Za in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Za ethnic group is one of the most fascinating examples of fusion in China today. About 200 years ago the Za were believed to be the same as today's Geman Deng people, but at that time Tibetan political and religious leaders entered the area and exerted their influence over the people there. The result is a new ethnic group called Za by the Tibetans, who speak a distinct language from the Deng and who practice different customs. The Za were not counted under any official nationality in the 1990 China census but instead were included in a list of undetermined minorities.

Two hundred years ago, the Tibetans entered this area and set up a combined rule of government and religion, and subsequently the original inhabitants of the area slowly became Tibetanized. The Tibetans ruled the Za with an iron fist. The Za were not even allowed to travel outside the area without prior permission of the monk or administrator. Today, the Za have changed from the Geman Deng so much that they deserve to be viewed as a distinct ethnolinguistic group.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Za have lost the use of all of their original customs and festivals; these are still practiced by Geman Deng people who lived outside the influence of Tibetan rule. Culturally the Za have become identical to the Tibetans.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The forefathers of the Za people were polytheists, worshiping nature and a host of spirits. However, the Tibetans took over the area long ago, and today the Za have been thoroughly converted to the Tibetan Buddhist religion.

Christianity has yet to make its presence felt in the isolated part of Tibet inhabited by the Za. Few roads led into the area until recently. Contact between the Za and the outside world is now possible. Today, the Za remain a completely unreached people group.


What Are Their Needs?

The Za people need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.


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 the Za 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 Za, Charumba in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Amdo Tibetans

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Charumba
People Name in Country Za, Charumba
Natural Name Za
Alternate Names Meyor; Zakhring; चारूमबा
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 1,900
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18354
ROP3 Code 113908
ROP25 Code 301678
ROP25 Name Charumba
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 2,500 people belonging to an ethnic group called the Za live in a remote area of southeastern Tibet. The Za, who were originally a collection of tribal peoples including relatives of today's Geman Deng people, live between Xiachayu and the Wanong Valley in Zayu County. Very few foreigners have ever ventured into this extremely remote part of China.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 2,500 people belonging to an ethnic group called the Za live in a remote area of southeastern Tibet. The Za, who were originally a collection of tribal peoples including relatives of today's Geman Deng people, live between Xiachayu and the Wanong Valley in Zayu County. Very few foreigners have ever ventured into this extremely remote part of China..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Religion Subdivision: Tibetan
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
100.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Zakhring (800 speakers)
Language Code zkr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Zakhring (800 speakers)
Language Code zkr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Zakhring

Primary Language:  Zakhring

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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