Central Niesu in China

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

Introduction / History

According to past records, the Central Niesu were once part of the Lowu nationality, as were the present-day Luowu people group. Many centuries ago the ancestors of the Central Niesu migrated to their present location and settled down in the mountains.

The Central Niesu have been officially included as part of the Yi nationality in China. They are not the same as the similarly named Nisu, Neisu, Nasu, or Nosu groups in southern China who, even though they are all viewed as Yi groups, possess widely differing customs and languages. They are also not the same as a group in Weining County of Guizhou Province, also called Niesu.


What Are Their Lives Like?

A Neisu couple usually gets married by one of two ways. First, the couple needs the consent of both sets of parents. The couple then customarily lives in the home of the bride's family until the first child is born. Only after the birth is the couple officially considered married. They are free to move into their own home. Alternatively, when a girl "reaches the age of 16 she is given her own room above the goat shed or cattle stall. Her boyfriend then comes and spends the nights with her. When a child is born, the father of the child is her husband for life. Before a child is born the 'marriage' may be broken off by a simple ceremony of splitting a stick, but after the first child, divorce is very uncommon."


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Central Niesu worship many gods and spirits. Some they see as helpful spirits that can bless and protect them, but most they see as vengeful and dangerous spirits that must be continually appeased and feared.

The gospel has yet to reach the ears of the majority of Central Niesu people in China. Dali Prefecture contains one of the lowest percentage Christians of any area in Yunnan Province. Not only are the Central Niesu unreached, but they are surrounded by numerous other people groups in a similar unfortunate position.


What Are Their Needs?

The Central Niesu 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 evangelization of this people group.
Pray the spirits they fear will be defeated by power encounters.
Pray there will soon come a day when Niesu disciples will disciple many others.


Scripture Prayers for the Niesu, Central in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Niesu, Central
People Name in Country Niesu, Central
Natural Name Central Niesu
Pronunciation Nee-soo
Alternate Names
Population this Country 16,000
Population all Countries 16,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18635
ROP3 Code 114256
ROP25 Code 306082
ROP25 Name Niesu
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 According to Jamin Pelkey, 28,000 Central Niesu live along the common borders of Yangbi, Yunlong, and Yongping counties in the western part of Dali Prefecture in Yunnan Province. In Yangbi County, where 15,000 are found, the Central Niesu live in all the communities of Fuheng District; in the Goupi Community of Taiping District; in the Baizhang Community of Shangjie District; and in parts of Wanpo Community in Shuangjian District. In Yongping County, which contains 7,000 Central Niesu, they inhabit the Lishuping, Shuanghe, Heidouchang, and Liumi communities of Beidou District. In Yunlong County, the 6,000 Central Niesu live in all of the communities within Tuanjie District.   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 According to Jamin Pelkey, 28,000 Central Niesu live along the common borders of Yangbi, Yunlong, and Yongping counties in the western part of Dali Prefecture in Yunnan Province. In Yangbi County, where 15,000 are found, the Central Niesu live in all the communities of Fuheng District; in the Goupi Community of Taiping District; in the Baizhang Community of Shangjie District; and in parts of Wanpo Community in Shuangjian District. In Yongping County, which contains 7,000 Central Niesu, they inhabit the Lishuping, Shuanghe, Heidouchang, and Liumi communities of Beidou District. In Yunlong County, the 6,000 Central Niesu live in all of the communities within Tuanjie District..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
98.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
2.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Nisu, Southwestern (16,000 speakers)
Language Code nsv   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Nisu, Southwestern (16,000 speakers)
Language Code nsv   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Nisu, Southwestern

Primary Language:  Nisu, Southwestern

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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