Ge in China

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

Introduction / History

There are two theories surrounding the origins of the Ge people. Legend has it that many centuries ago a high-ranking Han soldier fell in love with a beautiful Miao girl and desired to marry her. This was an unheard-of disgrace at the time and cost the official his title and position. The couple was forced to move away and live apart from both the Han and Miao. Over time, their descendants formed into the Ge people. The second theory, which is perhaps more realistic, is that the Ge are the remnants of a Western Miao group who originally inhabited an area farther to the west.

The Ge have been counted as part of the large Miao minority group in China - a classification that infuriates them. As in many respects they are a completely separate people. The Ge wear a unique costume and speak a language unintelligible with that of surrounding communities. They call themselves Ge Mong. The Hmu call them Gedou; the Xi call them Gewu; and the Mulao Jia call them Gedu. One unconfirmed report indicated the Ge were granted official status as a minority in 1993.

The Ge language, which has six tones, is a member of the Western Hmongic branch, similar to some Miao varieties spoken in Yunnan Province. In 1933 missionary M. H. Hutton "reduced the Ge language to writing, using the same spelling principles as for Hmu." A Ge Christian hymn book and catechism were published in 1937; however, one report says the books "were probably never sent to the Ge area." Hutton's script is not used among the Ge today.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Ge women's costume is designed to resemble a general's uniform, in remembrance of their progenitor. The Ge are highly skilled makers of batik.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ge practice polytheism and animism. One may find ancestral altars in most of their homes.

China Inland Mission's M. H. Hutton was the only known missionary among the Ge prior to 1949. In a 1935 article he reported, "the best and cheering news of all to us is, one of these new baptized believers is a Keh Deo [Ge] tribesman. It reminds me of the nine years of prayer and work to get an entrance into that tribe and the one soul - now there are six men and I hear their wives and families are interested in the gospel too." In 1936 Hutton described visiting a Ge Christian service, and in 1937 he reported three Ge families had become Christians. Tragically the Ge Christians ceased to believe once the missionaries were expelled from China. One Ge observer explained, "They believed in the missionaries and not in Jesus."


What Are Their Needs?

The impact former efforts to spread the gospel among the Ge has only ever been fleeting. They need strategies that truly connect with their hearts and not just their minds.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to protect them from injuries and sickness.
Pray for loving workers.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Ge in China.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ge
People Name in Country Ge
Pronunciation Guh
Alternate Names Chonganjiang; Flower Dou Miao; Flower Gelao; Flowery Root; Ge Jia; Gedang; Gedong; Gedou; Gedou Miao; Gedoudiu; Gedu; Gejia; Getou; Gewu; Huadou; Keh Deo; Keh-teo Miao; Miao; River Gelao
Population this Country 136,000
Population all Countries 136,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 18460
ROP3 Code 114061
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 A 1984 National Geographic article listed a population for the Ge of 70,000. The majority are located in the mountains surrounding Chong'an Township in the central part of Guizhou Province. The largest single community of Ge is in Fengxiang (Maple Fragrance) Village, which contains more than 400 households. Small numbers of Ge are located in several villages southwest of the city of Kaili and in the southern part of Hunan Province.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
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 A 1984 National Geographic article listed a population for the Ge of 70,000. The majority are located in the mountains surrounding Chong'an Township in the central part of Guizhou Province. The largest single community of Ge is in Fengxiang (Maple Fragrance) Village, which contains more than 400 households. Small numbers of Ge are located in several villages southwest of the city of Kaili and in the southern part of Hunan Province..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Ge in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.12 %
Ethnic Religions
94.50 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.38 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ge (136,000 speakers)
Language Code hmj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Ge (136,000 speakers)
Language Code hmj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Ge

Primary Language:  Ge

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1937)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Ge Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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