The Southwest Gbaya live in relative peace with their neighbors in a forested area of Central African Republic. Most of the people grow crops such as cassava, peanuts and corn to meet their own needs. Any small surplus is sold to purchase other goods. Diamond mining offers another source of employment, but it comes at a price. The people earn little for their efforts and the profits are used in cultural rituals, which they believe bring success.
Christianity was first introduced to the Gbaya in the 1930s. Many practice a mixed religion. Although approximately 70 percent claim Christianity, the hold of superstitious beliefs and ritualistic practices associated with animism is strong.
Some Christians do practice a living faith and stand firm against the influences of the traditional religions. For example, these believers do not put up idols to protect their fields. Because fear of these idols — or fetishes — can scare away potential thieves, the Christian Gbayan takes this stand despite the potential for higher theft from his fields.
Although the New Testament has been translated, it is not widely used because of its association with one particular denomination. However, the churches of the area are coming together to bring the Old Testament to their communities.
Scripture Prayers for the Gbaya, Southwest in Central African Republic.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Other PDF Profile |
People Name General | Gbaya, Southwest |
People Name in Country | Gbaya, Southwest |
Natural Name | Southwest Gbaya |
Alternate Names | Southwest Gbaya |
Population this Country | 305,000 |
Population all Countries | 305,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 5 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 11843 |
ROP3 Code | 103270 |
Country | Central African Republic | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
Persecution Rank | 24 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Mambéré-Kadéï prefecture: Berbérati, Carnot, and Gamboula subprefectures; Nana-Mambéré prefecture: Baboua and Baoro subprefectures; Sangha-Mbaéré prefecture: Nola subprefecture. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Central African Republic |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | No |
Persecution Rank | 24 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Mambéré-Kadéï prefecture: Berbérati, Carnot, and Gamboula subprefectures; Nana-Mambéré prefecture: Baboua and Baoro subprefectures; Sangha-Mbaéré prefecture: Nola subprefecture.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 46.00 %) |
94.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
2.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
3.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
1.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Gbaya, Southwest (305,000 speakers) |
Language Code | gso Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Gbaya, Southwest (305,000 speakers) |
Language Code | gso Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Gbaya, Southwest |
Primary Language: Gbaya, Southwest
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1980) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1951-2005) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Gbaya, Southwest | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Gbaya, Southwest | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Gbaya, Southwest | YouVersion Bibles |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |