Southwest Gbaya in Central African Republic

The Southwest Gbaya have only been reported in Central African Republic
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Gbaya, Southwest in Central African Republic.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Gbaya, Southwest
People Name in Country Gbaya, Southwest
Natural Name Southwest Gbaya
Alternate Names Southwest Gbaya
Population this Country 314,000
Population all Countries 314,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 11843
ROP3 Code 103270
Country Central African Republic
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank 28  (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 28  (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 (314,000 speakers)
Language Code gso   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Gbaya, Southwest (314,000 speakers)
Language Code gso   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Gbaya, Southwest
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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