Paiwan in China

People Name:	Paiwan
Country:	China
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	700
World Population:	99,700
Primary Language:	Paiwan
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Taiwan Indigenous
Affinity Bloc:	East Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Paiwan are one of three tribes, along with the Ami and Bunun, who were combined to form the official Gaoshan nationality in China. The name Gaoshan means "high mountain" in Chinese and is not the name of a specific ethnic group or language. The Paiwan believe they originated from an egg. Their legends say the sun laid two eggs that were hatched by a green snake.

In the past the Paiwan had a fearsome reputation as head-hunters. When Paiwan warriors returned home from a headhunting foray, "the women would welcome their "heroes" and sing songs of victory. People hung the heads of their enemies on stone pillars in front of offerings of wine. The sacrificial rite started, and their sorcerers consulted the soul of the dead. They took a tuft of hair from the head to use for divination.

During the civil war, between 1946 and 1949, many Paiwan men were forcibly enlisted in the anti-communist Kuomintang forces. When the war ended, some of the Paiwan remained behind in China and formed their own communities.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Unlike other tribes in Taiwan, Paiwan society is divided into classes with a hereditary aristocracy. The Paiwan are not allowed to marry outside their tribe. Traditionally, men who were seeking a wife had to cut down many trees for firewood for the bride-to-be's family.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally the Paiwan have been polytheists. Their wooden carvings included images of human heads, snakes, deer, and geometric designs. In Taiwan, the Bataul branch of the Paiwan tribe holds a major sacrifice—called maleveq—every five years to invite the spirits of their ancestors to come and bless them.

Christianity first came to the Paiwan people in the seventeenth century, when Taiwan was occupied by the Dutch. More than 5,000 tribesmen became Christians after only ten years, but all of them were massacred in 1661 when Cheng Gong Zheng liberated Taiwan. The missionaries were either killed or driven away, and the churches were destroyed. Thousands of Paiwan people in Taiwan came to Christ in the late 1940s and 1950s. Whole villages embraced the good news and appropriated Christ's pardon and offer of salvation. Today the Presbyterian church in Taiwan claims 14,900 Paiwan members, meeting in 96 congregations. The New Testament has been translated into Paiwan but is not available in Mainland China.

What Are Their Needs?

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word. The Paiwan need to see, feel and hear about the love of Jesus and how he can change their lives.

Prayer Points

Pray that Paiwan Christians will share their faith with many others.
Pray for God to send workers to teach unbelievers about salvation through Christ.
Pray for the Lord to move mightily among Paiwan family leaders and elders.