Day 23: The Jingpo People

Who are the Jingpo?
Inhabiting the mountains of Yunnan Province in southwest China, the Jingpo people cluster into villages of anywhere from two or three to over a hundred separate households. Neighbors in the community are extremely helpful when it comes to rebuilding a Jingpo bamboo house, which must be done every three or four years. The whole village chips in with building materials and labor, and often the new home can be erected in just one day. The family's move is completed with the transfer of the fire with a torch from the old house to the new. It is believed that an unbroken fire will allow the family lineage to continue for eternity.

The Jingpo are Animists, believing everything has a spirit and holding to many taboos and superstitions. One such superstition involves the sitting position of women. It is considered bad luck for a woman to sit with her legs crossed or with her hands under her chin. Religious worship ceremonies are supervised by a wizard, who also acts as the village medicine man.

Points of Prayer:
1. That every unbelieving Jingpo will come into the family of God, entering into the unbroken and eternal lineage of Christ.

2. For the Jingpo people to be released from the bondage of fear and legalism which result from their superstitious beliefs.

3. That Jingpo believers will be faithful to pass their faith to their children and grandchildren.