The Zou or Zo form a group of Tibeto-Burman peoples inhabiting the Chin Hills in Myanmar and Manipur in India. They are also called Yo and Jou. The earliest historical records of the Zou were written by Fan-Cho a diplomat of the Tang Dynasty of China who mentioned a kingdom in the Chindween Valley whose princes and chiefs were called Zo, Shou, or Zhou in the year 862 A. D. The most accurate historical records of the Zos/Zous were written by Rev. Fr. Vincentious Sangermano, a Roman Catholic missionary who came to Burma in 1783 A. D. While colonial records referred to the Zou tribe variously as 'Yo' or 'Yaw ', the Zou community living in Manipur called itself 'Jou '. The first Christian church established by the Zou tribe in Manipur was called Jou Christian Association (JCA), founded in February of 1954. The government of India officially recognized the name of this tribe as 'Zou' in 1956. Almost all of the Zou claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.
The Zou are subsistence farmers. Hunting and fishing also supplement the Zou's diet. The Zou also raise animals to sell and for their own use. The Zou people love their folktales and music. Though they are Christian, their traditional marriage forms have been the same for hundreds of years.
The Zou have abandoned ancestor worship, and they are officially Christian. They have successfully used their own style of music to make their own worship music. Many of the Zou continue to practice folk religion along with their Christianity.
The Zou need to put their complete faith in the One who came to give them a full and meaningful life. They need trained pastors who can teach them the Bible. Some Zou villages lack access to modern medicine, indoor plumbing and electricity.
Pray that the Zou might grow in their Christian faith and share the good news with other peoples of northeast India and Myanmar. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Zou people this decade. Pray that the Zou gain access to modern medicine and that parents are able to provide adequately for their children.
Scripture Prayers for the Zou in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Zou |
People Name in Country | Zou |
Alternate Names | Jou; Zogam; Zomi; Zomi Chin; ज़ो |
Population this Country | 29,000 |
Population all Countries | 97,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 3 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 6 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 18358 |
ROP3 Code | 113913 |
ROP25 Code | 309125 |
ROP25 Name | Zou (Zomi Chin) |
Country | India | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
National Bible Society | Website | |||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 2 | |||
Largest States |
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Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | |||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 2 |
Manipur 29,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 10 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.06 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
99.43 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.34 %
|
Islam |
0.08 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.02 %
|
Unknown |
0.06 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Zo (23,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | zom Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 22 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Zo (23,000 speakers) |
Language Code | zom Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 22 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Chin, Thado 600 | |
Hmar 300 | |
Chin, Paite 200 | |
Vaiphei 200 | |
Naga, Tangkhul (India) 70 | |
Hindi 40 | |
Naga, Inpui 40 | |
Anal 30 | |
English 30 | |
Naga, Liangmai 20 | |
Mizo 20 | |
Naga, Zeme 20 | |
Gangte 10 | |
Naga, Mao 0 | |
Kom (India) 0 | |
People Groups | Speaking Zo |
Primary Language: Zo
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1981) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1967-2007) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1992-2019) |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Zo | Jesus Film Project |
General | Gospel website in this language | General / Other |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Zo | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Zo | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Zo | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Text / Printed Matter | Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies | World Missionary Press |
Photo Source | Davidlalzou - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |