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In 1992, the Chinese government began encouraging
the Lisu people to use the "Fraser script,"
a simple script developed by missionary J.O.
Fraser, as the official Lisu script.
Lisu language has six tones and Lisu men are
remarkable linguists, with many speaking up
to four other languages.
Before they embraced Christianity, the Lisu
were described as "utter savages,"
given to alcohol and gambling. They were so
given to alcohol that when one newly converted
village threw out all their liquor, all the
pigs in the village got drunk! Gambling was also prominent. Once they had gambled away their
money, they would often stake their children,
their wives, and even themselves as slaves.
As a result, one night of gambling could result
in a lifetime of slavery for an entire family.
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