People
Who they are
The Gelao live in China, mainly in western Guizhou Province, with communities also in Guangxi and Yunnan. They are one of the country’s recognized ethnic minorities. The Gelao language has four varieties so different that Gelao from the same county may have difficulty understanding one another, and today only a quarter of them still speak it. Chinese is the common language, and many also speak Miao, Yi or Bouyei. The Gelao have no writing system of their own and use Chinese characters.
Poems, stories and proverbs are passed down orally from generation to generation. The Gelao have had extensive contact with the Han and other neighbors, but maintain their own festivals.
Where they live
1
Country
577K
Population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
China Partially reached
|
100%
|
578.000 |
How they live
Most Gelao work in farming. They grow corn, rice, wheat and potatoes. Iron forging is a well-developed craft among them. Their most important festivals are the new rice festival, the mountain sacrifice festival and New Year. At the Tree Festival, in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, men climb the hillsides and make offerings to a sacred tree, asking for happiness and a good harvest.
What they believe
The vast majority of the Gelao follow traditional religion: they worship various gods and their ancestors, and revere giant trees, mountains, the sky and the earth. At New Year, they offer their ancestors a large rice cake, which remains untouched for three days. They have neither idols nor temples. French Catholic missionaries reached the Gelao in the late 1800s, but little remains of that work. Today there are Gelao Christians, though still few in number.
The Bible in this people's language
A people only truly understands the gospel when they hear it in the language of their heart. See how far the translation has come.
Mandarin Chinese
Complete Bible
- Translation started Done
- Portions Done
- New Testament Done
- Whole Bible Current stage
Audio recordings Available
Jesus Film Available
Translation data: Joshua Project.
Gospel progress among the unreached
Christians (all traditions)4.2%
Evangelicals2.6%
Needs
Gelao Christians need spiritual renewal and biblical teaching that helps each person live out the gospel within their family. Because the Gelao lack a strong shared identity and speak different language varieties, the church among them is difficult to identify and reach. The Gelao read the Bible in Chinese and have no materials in their own language.
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
Pray for Gelao families who make their living from farming to have good harvests.
Pray for Gelao Christians to grow in faith and share the gospel with their relatives.
Pray for understanding of Scripture in Chinese and for materials that reach speakers of the different Gelao varieties.
Pray for the hearts of those who make offerings to ancestors and trees, that they may come to know Jesus.
Pray for the church among the Gelao to train people who can teach the Bible clearly.
Pray for Gelao
Intercede for this people alongside Christians around the world.
Open the Prayer Calendar