Day 12: The Pumi People

Who are the Pumi?
The Pumi, numbering only around 38,000, is the smallest of China's ethnic minority groups. They are also one of the poorest, and a history of sickness, struggle, and assimilation into other tribes has kept their numbers low throughout their 2,000-year history as a people. Despite their many hardships, the Pumi are friendly and welcoming. One of their biggest festivals is the celebration of the 15 th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. All Pumi, young and old, take a holiday and participate in horse racing, shooting contests, and feasting. The Pumi also mark the holiday by making sacrifices to "the kitchen god", who is believed to observe the family before ascending to heaven to report on the condition of the household.

Several reasons are given for the Pumi's choice to live high in the mountains of northwest Yunnan Province. In the past, the forests covering the mountainsides were a good place to hide from enemies. Today the Pumi find that the mountains are a good place to raise livestock. Traditional folk stories also teach that valleys and other areas of low elevation are inhabited by demons - not a desirable place to settle for a people who live in fear of the spirit world. Traditionally the Pumi practiced Tibetan Buddhism, although in actuality they have retained many of their non-Buddhist rituals and superstitions. All Pumi worship the mountain god Suoguonaba, as well as their ancestors. They also believe that spirits inhabit the wooden center posts of their homes. It is reported that there are only a handful of new Christians living in a few Pumi villages, but they are experiencing intense persecution. The Word of God is not available in the Pumi language. This creates a huge obstacle to evangelism, since only 37% of the Pumi are able to read and understand Mandarin Chinese.

Points of Prayer:
1. That the small number of known Pumi believers will be strengthened to endure persecution and share Christ with others.

2. For the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the Pumi so that they will respond to the Good News.

3. That the Bible, Christian radio broadcasts, evangelical literature, and the Jesus film will all be made available to the Pumi in their mother tongue.