Biao in China

The Biao have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Biao people are located in the Guangdong Province, which is in the southeastern most part of China. According to the Ethnologue, the Biao speak their own dialect of Chinese called Biao, but they are also in contact with a lot of Mandarin speaking Chinese, suggesting that they may know Mandarin as well.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Biao people live in a very fertile area. Because of this, they grow a number of crops. Their primary farm and forest products include rice, fruits, vegetables, livestock, rosin, cinnamon, bamboo, cassava, sugarcane, and medicinal herbs. The Biao also live relatively close to Hong Kong, so much of their trade is done with those who live there.


What Are Their Beliefs?

China Quarterly conducted a study of 600 villages around which the Biao people live. Their study suggests that most of the religion of the Biao and the surrounding areas is not defined by its doctrine, organization, or hierarchy, but rather is centered around rituals. The local religion is polytheistic and revolves heavily around spirit worship in local temples. The Biao worship in temples that are dedicated to local deities, and sometimes have operas performed for these deities. The rituals that are performed by the Biao are often led by temple committees and specialists. These rituals have a close tie with Daoist traditions. They also use Confucian texts to guide their rituals with mediums to contact spirits of the dead. This seems to suggest that there is syncretism amongst the Biao people of a plurality of Chinese religions and philosophies. In their worship and daily lives, the Biao also have close ties to their ancestral history; however, in the 20th century and 21st century this has been in decline. Local religions such as the one that the Biao follow are under attack from the Chinese government.


What Are Their Needs?

The Biao people believe in a plurality of spirits. They need to know that there is one true God. They need people to share the gospel with them. Like all people, the Biao ultimately need Jesus. They need to come to an understanding of who He is and know that in Christ Jesus they have hope now. There is no translation of the Bible in the Biao language. A translation is important so the Biao can come to a deeper understanding of God. It is also important so they can have the word to tell stories of Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for missionaries who are willing to go to this unreached people group. Pray for God to soften these people's hearts to become more receptive to the gospel. Pray for the local government to have open minds and hearts toward Christianity. Pray for the Biao not to view Christianity as just another religion, but rather something that changes their lives through a relationship with Christ. Pray for the Bible to be translated into their heart language so the people can come to a better understanding of who God is."


Scripture Prayers for the Biao in China.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Biao
People Name in Country Biao
Alternate Names
Population this Country 133,000
Population all Countries 133,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 20600
ROP3 Code 116837
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Guangdong Province, southwest corner of Huaiji county, Shidong, Yonggu, Dagang, Liangcun, and Qiaotou districts; Guangdong province: Fengkai county, Chang’an, Jinzhuang, and Qixing districts, several villages; southwest Huaiji county, Dagang, Liangcun, Qiaotou, Shidong, and Yonggu districts.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Guangdong Province, southwest corner of Huaiji county, Shidong, Yonggu, Dagang, Liangcun, and Qiaotou districts; Guangdong province: Fengkai county, Chang’an, Jinzhuang, and Qixing districts, several villages; southwest Huaiji county, Dagang, Liangcun, Qiaotou, Shidong, and Yonggu districts..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
30.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
1.50 %
Ethnic Religions
68.50 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Biao (133,000 speakers)
Language Code byk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Biao (133,000 speakers)
Language Code byk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Biao

Primary Language:  Biao

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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