Many influential Chinese clans, with all their members, join the Nien cause; and among the Nien leaders, the clan chiefs play an important role.

Gentry of lower strata also join the Nien.

The greater part of the Nien force consists of poor peasants, although deserters from the government-recruited militias and salt smugglers are important as military experts.

The real cause of their strength is supposedly the people's support and sympathy for their leaders, but there is difficulty in creating a power center, because the Nien's basic social unit is the earth-wall community, where a powerful master exercises autonomy.