Zaiwa People
The Zaiwa are the largest subgroup of the official Jingpo nationality in China. The Zaiwa, who are called Xiaoshan, meaning “small mountain” by the Chinese, have a fearsome reputation. In 1911 James Fraser described the Zaiwa as “the wildest people around here by a long way. Inveterate robbers, their hand is against every man and every man’s hand is against them. Dirty, unkempt, ignorant, everybody despises them. They are savages only and not cannibals.”
Affinity Group: Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Tibetan / Himalayan Peoples
People Cluster: Miri-Kachin
Language: Zaiwa – (atb)
Alternate Name(s): Atsi, Szi, Atsi-Maru
Primary Religion: Ethnoreligion
Country: Myanmar
Also found in: China
Population: 30,000
Global Population: 168,000
Progress of the Gospel: No Longer Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity: 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
Overview: The Zaiwa of Myanmar, numbering 30,000, are No Longer Unreached. They are part of the Miri-Kachin people cluster within the Tibetan / Himalayan Peoples affinity bloc. Globally, this group totals 168,000 in 2 countries. Their primary language is Zaiwa. The primary religion practiced by the Zaiwa is ethnoreligion. Ethnoreligion is deeply rooted in a people’s ethnic identity and conversion essentially equates to cultural assimilation.
Bible Translations: Available
Jesus Film: Available
Gospel Recordings: Available
Radio Broadcast: Not Available
Distribution
There are more than 70,000 Zaiwa speakers in Yunnan, China, including in:
Bangwa (邦瓦), Longchuan County, Dehong Prefecture
Zhanxi (盏西), Yingjiang County, Dehong Prefecture
Xishan (西山), Mangshi, Dehong Prefecture
The Ethnologue lists Bengwa, Longzhun and Tingzhu as dialects.
In Myanmar, the Sadon (Sadung) dialect is the standard variety.