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Location. The Miao, also widely known as the Hmong, number approximately 8 million in China, with another 1.5 million Hmong outside of China. They speak numerous dialects, many of these being mutually unintelligible. In China most Miao can be found in Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou Provinces. History. While some traditions state that the Miao originally came from Tibet or Mongolia, it is generally believed that 4500 years ago they inhabited the valleys of the Yellow River region. They likely moved to Southwest China from 221 BC — AD 220. They are a persecuted people whose history is closely tied to rebellion against oppressive governments, one of the biggest and bloodiest occurring between 1851 and 1874. In 1975 there was major migration of Hmong freedom fighters from Laos, many relocating to the USA, France, Australia, and several other countries. Miao Society. The Miao are a friendly, affectionate people who enjoy music, festivals, and entertaining guests. They live in close-knit communities, their villages often made up of one or two clans. It is taboo to marry someone with the same family name, so Miao young people look forward to festivals as a chance to meet youth from other villages. Extended families usually live together under one roof in wooden "hanging houses," standing on stilts short on the uphill side and long on the downhill side. Many homes have three stories, the top for grain storage, the middle for the family, and the bottom for animals. In other areas, homes may be made of mud bricks or stone. Language. While the Miao are ethnically one people, so much divergence in language and culture has developed among the group that they cannot be considered one unified people for church planting efforts. The Miao fall into four main linguistic groups: Farwestern Hmongic, Western Hmongic, Qiandong (or Eastern) Miao, and Xiangxi (or Northern) Miao. These are subdivided even further (see Miao Groups). Political situation. The majority of Miao live in countries ruled by communist-controlled governments (Vietnam, Laos, China). While these governments espouse religious freedom, in actual practice little toleration is shown for those wanting to freely convert and live out the commands of Jesus. Any attempts to engage in evangelism and training, or provide Christian materials for the Miao/Hmong are strictly prohibited. In Vietnam, several Hmong tried to officially register as Christians. The response from government officials was that since the Hmong in Vietnam have not historically followed Christianity, they are not free to convert to Christianity. Instead, they are forced in some instances to sacrifice to the spirits and are not allowed to put away their amulets and other things used in spirit ceremonies. Religion. The Miao are animists, believing the spirit world touches every aspect of life. Spirits can be benevolent or mischievous, protecting or bringing harm to men, beasts, and crops. Elaborate rituals and sacrifices are used for protection; and shamans (spirit mediums) are responsible for identifying demons and instructing the afflicted in how to appease them. Every home houses an altar to ancestral spirits of grandparents and other relatives who died natural deaths in old age; but if a Miao dies a tragic death, his spirit is left behind to bring havoc to his family and village unless he is properly appeased. Christianity. The first Christian efforts among the Farwestern Hmongic groups started in the late 1890’s by China Inland Mission and Methodist missionaries. A significant impact was made among 2 dialect groups. Of the estimated 300,000 Miao believers, approximately 250,000 of these are among the A-Hmao (Big Flowery) and Gha-Mu tribes (Small Flowery). (Both these tribes are subgroups of the Farwestern Hmong). Their dialects are mutually unintelligible with other Miao dialects. A significant impact was also made among some Hua Miao groups (also Farwestern) located near Anshun in Guizhou Province. The vast majority of Miao, however, are completely unevangelized with no knowledge even of the name "Jesus". See Miao Missions.
Literacy: +90% are illiterate in their Miao language, approximately 35% literate in Chinese. Miao unevangelized in China (Have never heard the gospel): Up to 7 million. Scriptures: A complete NT with OT portions for the A-Hmao and Blue Hmong; a complete Bible for the White Hmong (1997). All other dialect groups representing 7 million Miao in China have no scripture available. See Bible Publications for more details. Jesus film: Available for White and Blue Hmong. Less than 200,000 Miao in China able to understand this film. New film in Sinicised Hmong out in 2006. Christian Broadcasting: FEBC broadcasts in Blue and White Hmong, target audience mostly Vietnam and Laos, with a large response in Vietnam. Approximately 200,000 White Hmong in China would be able to understand the broadcast, though few have radios. What can be done to reach them? Ministry options that could contribute to the evangelization of the Miao.
Corrigan, Gina. Odyssey Illustrated Guide to Guizhou. Sing Cheong Printing Co. Ltd., Hong Kong, 1995.
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