Iu Mien, Hunan in China

Iu Mien, Hunan
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2024
Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group location: SIL / WLMS. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Iu Mien, Hunan
Country: China
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 223,000
World Population: 223,000
Primary Language: Iu Mien
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Yao-Mien
Affinity Bloc: Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

There has been great conflict between the Iu Mien (Yao) and the Han for many centuries. Until this century the Chinese character for writing Yao used the radical for "insect" instead of the radical for "people." A series of rebellions occurred among the Iu Mien in Hunan, starting in 1836. The fight was over the control of the opium trade. Most drugs going from southern China to the northern provinces passed through Xinning County, just to the west of the Xiang River valley. The Iu Mien in this region were involved with the trade as well as several Chinese triad societies, including the Qinglian Jiao (Black Lotus Society) and the Bangbang Hui (Cudgel Society). In 1847 another revolt occurred in Xinning, led by an Iu Mien, Li Caihao. The Iu Mien were savagely defeated after fighting lasted for several months. Thousands of Iu Mien were killed.

Although they are part of the great Yao nationality in China, the Iu Mien living in Hunan Province have been found to speak a dialect that differs and is considered mutually unintelligible with Iu Mien varieties elsewhere.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of the Iu Mien in Hunan live in isolated villages at the summits of high mountains. Because of their location, the Iu Mien pipe fresh water to their villages through a skillfully constructed system of bamboo pipes.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Hunan Iu Mien share three religious belief systems. They worship Pan Hu, the mythical progenitor of their people. The group members additionally appease spirits and demons by observing rituals borrowed from Daoism (which includes ancestor worship).

The Iu Mien in Hunan are among China's most unreached people groups. There is very little Christian influence of any sort in Hunan, and few believers have ever dared to venture into the isolated mountains inhabited by the Iu Mien since time immemorial.

What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people will be lost in this life and the life to come. They need someone to share the gospel truths.

Prayer Points

Pray for workers to arise and share the gospel faithfully with Hunan Iu Mein, so after the group members accept, they can begin the fruitful process of discipleship among their people group.
Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the Hunan Iu Mien people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.

Text Source:   Joshua Project