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

Expanded PDF Profile

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  
Expanded PDF Profile

People Name General Gbaya, Southwest
People Name in Country Gbaya, Southwest
Natural Name Southwest Gbaya
Population this Country 296,000
Population all Countries 296,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
Alternate Names Southwest Gbaya
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 (296,000 speakers)
Language Code gso   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Gbaya, Southwest (296,000 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
Bible-NT Text Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gbaya, Southwest Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Gbaya, Southwest YouVersion Bibles
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more