The Bonan (or Bao’an) people are one of the smallest groups of unreached peoples in China. In fact, at 12-17 thousand people, they are one of the smallest people groups in China in general. The Bonan are believed to be descended from Mongol soldiers that were left after Genghis Khan’s troops swept through China. These soldiers remained in Tongren county of Qinghai province and intermarried with the local Han, Hui and Tibetan peoples. Originally following Tibetan teachings, in 1700, a portion of the people group converted to Islam and moved north to a more Muslim dominant county in Qinghai. Later, during the Dungan Rebellion (1862-1874), they moved east into Gansu province and the area of present day Ji Shi Shan county. The leftover Bonan people in Tongren are now considered a different people group by some (the Monguour), as they have preserved their Tibetan Buddhist beliefs, but the Bonan in Gansu have held to Islam.

There is no written Bonan language. Over the years, the Bonan have borrowed words from languages around them (Mandarin, Donxiang, Salar), and now about half of their vocabulary is comprised of borrowed words. Their language is now more similar to Dongxiang (also a Mongolian off-shoot group) than to the original Mongolian. In their language, “Bonan” means “protector” – a reference to their original roles as soldiers and protectors of the area.

The local economy is based on farming, ranching, logging and the production of Bonan knives. This type of knife is a specialty of the area and is sought after as a souvenir by visitors. It has an ox-horn handle and is well known for its beauty.

Religiously, the Bonan are Sunni Muslims who have rejected the Tibetan Buddhist teachings of their ancestors. Due to the consistent work of local believers, there are a few known Bonan believers, but there is still no church.

Please ask the Father to protect those that minister to the Protectors; ask Him to provide many opportunities for His workers to share the Good News with the Bonan people. Ask that local workers engaged in this work will have perseverance and boldness. Ask too that He will give wisdom and insight as His workers share the greatest story we have to share.

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