Gelao, White in Vietnam

Gelao, White
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People Name: Gelao, White
Country: Vietnam
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 200
World Population: 200
Primary Language: Duoluo
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Unspecified
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Kadai
Affinity Bloc: Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Gelao means "human beings" as well as "bamboo." The Gelao are thought to be descended from the ancient Liao race who established the Yelang Kingdom in Guizhou Province about 2,000 years ago. A folk tale tells how the king of Yelang was born from bamboo, so the whole group came to be called "bamboo." In the past, the Gelao practiced initiation rites for their young men, including tooth-breaking and hair-cutting rituals. The Gelao were once head-hunters and cannibals.

Where Are they Located?

The Gelao peoples live either in China's Guizhou Province or northern Vietnam.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The White Gelao grow maize, wheat, potatoes, sorghum, millet, tobacco, and tea.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like the other two Gelao peoples, the White Gelao worship their ancestors and hold to traditional animistic religion. They worship the spirit of the rice paddies, the spirit of burn over land, and the spirits that protect their livestock. At specific festivals the Gelao peoples make offerings to these spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

It might take bold believers with a special gift of faith to go to the White Gelao people and pray for their needs. This people group will need to see God at work in a powerful way to put their faith in Jesus Christ rather than the spirit world.

Prayer Points

Ask for the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into this field to tell the White Gelao people that they have been specially created for a unique purpose: to know, love and worship Jesus Christ.
Pray for the White Gelao people to have a strong spiritual hunger that will lead them to the Savior of all mankind.
Pray for God to reveal His grace and love to the White Gelao people so that they will want Him as their Savior.
Pray for a strong discipling ministry that will transform Gelao communities in Vietnam into His likeness.

Text Source:   Keith Carey