Prayer Portrait: Minyak
- Amy Van Fossen
- Nov 23, 2020
- 1 min read
The Minyak people are a distinct linguistic and cultural sub-group within the Tibetan nationality. They are similar to other Tibetans in that they follow the tenets of Tibetan Buddhism, and live in dispersed agricultural communities growing barley and raising yak.
The Minyak live quiet lives in nearly complete isolation from the rest of the world. Most of their villages are accessible only by foot. Because of attacks by Khampa bandits they have constructed large fortress-like community houses built of rock. Every member of the village helps joins in the construction of new houses.
Although there are presently no known Christians among the Minyak, the China Inland Mission did have a station in Tatsienlu (now Kangding), on the edge of Minyak territory. The mission closed when the missionaries were forced to leave China in the early 1950s. When explorer Joseph Rock first entered the Minyak region he was besieged for medicine - a sure sign missionaries had been there before him. "Whenever we came to a village, the peasants would gather about us and with folded hands would beseech me to dispense medicine to sick relatives." The Minyak today have no awareness of Jesus Christ or his grace.
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.
- Psalm 22:27–28
Watercolor on Canson 140lb (300gsm) cold pressed paper
8x10”
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