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People group profile · PG006708

The Cha Shan Yao of China

The Cha Shan Yao of China, numbering about 64,500 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a distinct subgroup historically classified within the Yao nationality of China, but ethnically and linguistically they are the Lakkia (or Lakkja) people.

They are an indigenous people in the Yao-Mien people cluster of the Southeast Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Animism, and they primarily speak Lakkia.

Pray for the Cha Shan YaoPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Cha Shan Yao people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash: Cha Shan Yao

Fast facts

Country
China
Population
64,500
Affinity group
Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
People cluster
Yao-Mien
Primary language
Lakkia (lbc)
Primary religion
Animism
Strategic Progress Index ?
Engaged yet Unreached
Evangelical
Less than 2%
GSEC ?
Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
Lostness priority ?
Expanding Unreached People Group
Also known as
茶山瑶, Lakkja
Region
Eastern Asia, Asia
Location
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County

Where they live

Gospel status

The Cha Shan Yao are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Cha Shan Yao

  • Continue prayer and fasting for this group
  • Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
  • Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people

Primary religion

Animism · Ethnoreligion

100% adherents

Primary language

Lakkia · Tai-Kadai family

100% speak Lakkia

Gospel resources in Lakkia

  • Bible available, published 1936
  • JESUS Film not available
  • Radio programs not available
  • Gospel recordings not available
  • Audio resources not available
  • Bible stories not available

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Cha Shan Yao

  1. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  2. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
  3. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  4. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.

Download a prayer guide

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