Introduction / History The Southern Nasu probably originated in southern Sichuan and northern Yunnan many centuries ago. The name Nasu means "black people." The color black is revered by the Nasu.
Although this people group calls itself merely Nasu, an added description is needed in order to separate them from other groups who refer to themselves as Nasu but who speak different languages and dialects. The Southern Nasu are also different from the Nisu in Xinping and Yuanyang counties who have been profiled separately.
What are their lives like? The Southern Nasu retain many aspects of their traditional culture, including the four-stringed guitar and a host of folk dances and songs. They also participate in the annual Torch Festival which takes place on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month.
The Southern Nasu are polytheists who attempt to placate a wide array of spirits and deities. Some spirits are considered helpful while others are evil and cause death, sickness, and destruction. One source says, "Animistic spirituality and ancestor worship is alive and well among this people. The Southern Nasu of Eshan County still have living bimos or sorcerers who perform rites and incantations from the ancient script to appease demons and ward off evil from sick persons, households, and at funerals. Besides the bimo there is a significant number of ordinary people who have linked themselves with the spirit world, and are able, through such channels, to heal sicknesses."
There are known Christians among the Southern Nasu. These believers meet in Han Chinese churches in the townships of Yuxi Prefecture. There is no Nasu-language congregation in existence. Today most Southern Nasu have no knowledge of Christianity. Mission work among them prior to 1949 was nonexistent. In 1998 the Christian ministry global recordings produced audio tapes of the gospel message in Southern Nasu resulting in a few people making decisions to follow Christ.
What are their beliefs? Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.
What are their needs? Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead them from darkness to light.
Pray for signs and wonders to happen among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2016/07/26 * Pray for translation of the Bible to begin in this people group's primary language. * Pray for the availability of the Jesus Film in the primary language of this people.
More than 100,000 Southern Nasu live in five counties of central and southern Yunnan Province. The majority (42,900) live in Eshan County, followed by Xinping County (33,300), while Yimen County contains 17,000 Southern Nasu. In addition, about 9,000 Southern Nasu live in the southern part of Anning County and the southwestern part of Jinning County in the Kunming Municipality. (Source: Operation China, 2000)
JP Unreached of Day
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