Introduction / History

The Daur in Xinjiang are the descendants of a group of Daur troops who were sent from Manchuria in 1763. The Chinese include them under the Daur nationality, despite the fact that their customs are now markedly different from the Daur living on the opposite side of the country.

The Western Daur are related to the Daur in Heilongjiang Province, who came under Chinese control in 1698. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) the Daur were called up for military service a total of 60 times. One assignment in 1763 took a group of Daur soldiers all the way across northern China to Xinjiang. After completing their service, the soldiers decided to stay in the northwest, rather than face the demanding two-year journey back to their homeland.

What Are Their Lives Like?

On his wedding day, the groom sets off to fetch the bride the moment the sun rises. "As soon as the bride in her red wedding gown arrives in a car, firecrackers are let off ... and the bride's hair is combed with a part in the center. She wears gold, silver or jade earrings, bracelets and rings, and an embroidered tobacco pouch is attached to the front of her dress. She does this because it is the custom with the Daurs to offer each other a cigarette."

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Western Daur are polytheists, worshiping five sky gods. "All humans and animals are believed to have a sumus, or spirit, which at the time of death, leaves the body and is presented to Irmu Khan, the lord of the underworld. He decides how each spirit will be reincarnated. Those whose owners have behaved best might become barkans (gods) while those with the worst record are condemned to perpetual hell."

What Are Their Needs?

There has never been a known church among the Western Daur. The recently established Daur church in northeast China, however, has a burden to reach their brothers in the northwest and were planning an evangelistic trip to Xinjiang in 1998.

Prayer Points

Pray to Lord Jesus to intervene in their families, calling people close to him.
Pray for loving servant workers.
Pray for them to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for church plants to thrive in their communities.

Scripture Prayers for the Daur, Western in China.

References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.