The hills of southwestern China are alive with the sound of Zhuang music. Extemporaneous melodies and lyrics full of metaphors, riddles and even cross-examinations orchestrate the charm of the people of Guangxi Province. A musical quick wit can be useful for political statements, community songfests and courtship.

Ethnicity

The Zhuang are descendants of the Yue people of South China and have called themselves by a dozen or so names. They first came under Chinese authority 2,000 years ago. They are also part of the Tai family, which reflects many cultural aspects of the tribal groups in North Thailand. They are often split into the Northern, having a population of 11.7 million and the Southern with a populaton of 4.2 million.

Language

One way the Zhuang hold fast to their ethnic identity is through the preservation of their language. Zhuang is of the Chinese-Tibetan family. There are as yet no scriptures available in it. Zhuang is spoken in 14 dialects, with two main dialects, Northern and Southern. In 1955 a phonetic Zhuang language based on the Roman alphabet was devised. While most Zhuang speak Chinese, it is doubtful that many are literate in Chinese, other than some primary school children who are receiving a bilingual education.

Population

The Zhuang is the largest of the 55 minority people groups of mainland China. In 2005 there were about 17 million Zhuang in China.

Location

Most Zhuang are concentrated in Guangxi, the Zhuang autonomous region, inhabiting the area south of five great mountain ranges (Yuecheng, Dupang, Mingzhu, Qitian and Dayu mountains). The region’s unique topography — jagged narrow, green mountains — is often depicted in Chinese art. Other Zhuang have settled in Yunnan, Guangdong, Guizhou and Hunan provinces.

Culture

Urban Zhuangs are almost indistinguishable from the Han Chinese. They have intermarried with the Han people, and adopted the Chinese language and customs. The Zhuang only wear their traditional costumes for special occasions and festivals. But they have not lost all Zhuang identity, for the Chinese in Nanning and other cities in Guangxi have adopted some Zhuang customs as well.

Like many Tai groups, the Zhuang live in Thai-style two-story homes. The family lives on the second floor, while the downstairs is used for storage and farm animals. Many of their ancient rites have now turned into simple games. They take great pride in their music, and impromptu singing contests are part of every festival. Young people practice secretly for weeks beforehand, working on the quickness and cleverness required for the musical banter to come.

Livelihood

For many generations the Zhuang have carefully carved their terraced rice fields out of the mountainsides. Bamboo poles carry water from the mountain springs to the fields and homes. While beautiful and as productive as they can be, these narrow fields must still be plowed by water buffalo. Bananas, longan, lichee, pineapple, timber, sugarcane and cultured pearls are also raised in the area. Crafts such as their famous brocade and bambooware are also sold.

Religion

Rural Zhuang, who outnumber the city-dwellers, still adhere to their traditional way of life and their traditional religion, animism. They worship large rocks, old trees, dragons, birds or ancestors. The spirits in these objects are often malicious and must be continually appeased. Mediums use dice to care for the sick. Incense and foods are offered to the gods.

Many of the Zhuang festivals are actually appeasement rites. The Cattle Soul Festival follows the spring plowing every year. Each family offers a basket of five-colored rice and fresh grass to the cattle. This gift is to call back the souls the cattle lost due to the whippings they endured during the planting season.

In 2002 scholars claim to have discovered the birthplace of Buluotuo, the very first Zhuang. This has resulted in a revival of Zhuang culture and a renewed interest in ancient Zhuang religious texts. There is also a new festival worship of Buluotuo.

Christianity

There are both Three-Self and house churches in Guangxi Province, but the number of meetings points and believers are few — less than 1%. In 1991, 40,000 believers were reported among the Zhuang. The rough landscape and lack of good transportation have slowed the spread of the gospel to many of the remote villages. The many different minority groups with their own cultures and languages has also hindered church development. The region is under the "three fixes," meaning fixed meetings points, fixed meetings, and fixed pastors. Permits are required to minister in areas without fixed meetings.

Missions

Missions began to the Zhuang in 1862 when Baptist missionaries entered the region, soon followed by the Alliance Church. In 1897 the city of Wuzhou became a trading port for Britain, and that brought many more denominations into the area. In 1899 the Alliance Bible Seminary was established in Wuzhou and was the first Bible school in southern China. In 1907 there were 50 Catholic and 29 Protestant churches in Guangxi.

By 1949 there were 11 denominations present in Guangxi, with Alliance, Baptist and Anglican being most influential. By the time of the Communist takeover, there were 61 Protestant churches in Guangxi. In the takeover, all the churches and the Alliance seminary were closed. Recent efforts have been made to reach the Zhuang. FEBC radio broadcasts are available as is the Jesus film. The New Testament is currently being translated; it is believed that the Zhuang are the largest people group in the world without a Bible in their own language. These efforts have been well received and church growth is evident. Continue to pray for the evangelization of the Zhuang.