Lami in China

The Lami have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

In the distant past the Lami were a part of a large group of Tibeto-Burman peoples, including today's Akha, Hani, and Yi. Research indicates the formation of today's distinct Hani groups started in the thirteenth century, probably as a result of Genghis Khan's conquest of Yunnan.

Approximately 13,000 Lami in Pu'er County have been officially classified under the Hani nationality. The majority of Lami, however, have been officially included as part of the Yi nationality. The name Lami may mean "dirty" or "lowly." Some Hani may identify themselves as Lami so they can be treated as a separate group.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Long Dragon Banquet is a Lami festival held on the third and fourth days of the 12th lunar month every year. Tables, dishes, trays, and wine cups are placed in a pattern to resemble the scales of a dragon. Each household is required to prepare "a table of fifteen to twenty dishes of delicacies comprising of food they grudge eating at ordinary times, that is, birds, beasts and aquatic produce. No ingredients such as carrots or cabbage are to be used."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lami keep strictly to the customs handed down from their ancestors. Angmatu, their principal festival, is considered the best time for them to worship their deity and ask for blessings. "The god of strength is the deity they worship, the god they believe can dispel disasters and sweep away all evils and monsters, and endow them with auspiciousness, fortune, longevity and bumper harvests." Festival leaders among the Lami are selected after they have been approved by the deities. Chickens are slaughtered and their liver patterns studied to determine who should take up the sacred posts. During the festival, the leaders must sleep on one side of their body and abstain from sexual intercourse and from eating meat. For one month prior to the festival, they must separate themselves from all people, including their own families.

There are a few thousand known Lami Christians, due to the witness of large Christian communities among the nearby Kado and Biyo. The Lami zealously guard their traditions and refuse to allow outside influences into their culture. The introverted nature of the Lami has kept most from seeing their need of God.


What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.

Pray for loving workers.

Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.

Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Lami in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Lami
People Name in Country Lami
Pronunciation La-mee
Alternate Names Ban; Liumi
Population this Country 132,000
Population all Countries 132,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 18539
ROP3 Code 114156
ROP25 Code 304578
ROP25 Name Lami
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 100,000 members of the Lami tribe inhabit seven different counties in Yunnan Province. One of the largest Lami villages is Habo in Yuanyang County which is described as "a small hamlet with about two hundred Lami households living in high and spacious houses. Built with solid mud bricks and straw on a stone foundation half-way up the mountain, the houses resemble each other in style. Their white-washed walls present a neat appearance." The Lami are also located in northern Vietnam where they are one of the official subgroups of the Hani minority.   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 100,000 members of the Lami tribe inhabit seven different counties in Yunnan Province. One of the largest Lami villages is Habo in Yuanyang County which is described as "a small hamlet with about two hundred Lami households living in high and spacious houses. Built with solid mud bricks and straw on a stone foundation half-way up the mountain, the houses resemble each other in style. Their white-washed walls present a neat appearance." The Lami are also located in northern Vietnam where they are one of the official subgroups of the Hani minority..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Lami in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.99 %)
2.50 %
Ethnic Religions
94.50 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
3.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Lalo, Dongshanba (132,000 speakers)
Language Code yik   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Lalo, Dongshanba (132,000 speakers)
Language Code yik   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Lalo, Dongshanba

Primary Language:  Lalo, Dongshanba

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: Asia Harvest. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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