Despite insisting on their own distinct identity, the Naluo (also called Alu or Gani - Dry Yi) are considered part of the Yi nationality by the Chinese authorities. The Laka are a subgroup of the Naluo. The main difference between the two is sociohistorical.
For centuries the Naluo were despised as slaves and serfs of the Nasu people. In the early 1950s the slave/serf system was abolished by the Communist authorities. The humble disposition of the Naluo helped many of them see their need for God. Many responded to the gospel when Protestant missionaries moved to their area in the early decades of the twentieth century.
In the same way that numerous languages and dialects are spoken among the many branches of Yi in China, they also have numerous distinct cultures. Catholic missionary Paul Vial explained, "The Lolo [Yi] do not have a single term that can be applied to an entire nation or a race of men, no more for others than for themselves. With the Lolo [Yi], each tribe knows only the tribes around it; beyond this horizon, it knows nothing. In their books, the author uses the name of his tribe, sometimes in a limited sense, if it is a particular history; sometimes in a broad sense, if the history applies to the entire race."
Most Naluo are worshipers of spirits. Others have embraced Christianity, though many who profess to be Christians have retained their former animistic rituals. In the past each Naluo village had a resident shaman.
The first Protestant missionaries arrived in northern Yunnan in the early 1900s. Australian Arthur Nicholls was among the early pioneers of the gospel. Others joined him in a mission of love. Medical clinics were established, and large numbers of people were exposed to the gospel. Probably because of their history as a slave people, the Naluo were eager to accept the offer of freedom in Jesus Christ. They turned to Christianity, breaking themselves free from centuries of bondage to spirit worship. Thousands of Eastern Lipo and Eastern Nasu also came to Christ in the Wuding and Luquan areas. Today there are an estimated 11,000 Naluo believers. Many of them meet in ethnically mixed congregations. The Naluo living in Yuanmou County have had less exposure to the gospel. In the past many Naluo believers used the Pollard New Testament in the Eastern Nasu language, but today most prefer to use the Chinese Scriptures.
Scripture Prayers for the Naluo in China.
Profile Source: Operation China, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Naluo |
People Name in Country | Naluo |
Pronunciation | Nah-luoh |
Alternate Names | Alu; Dry Yi; Gan Yi; Gani; Nalo; Nalu |
Population this Country | 49,000 |
Population all Countries | 49,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 5 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 6 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 18620 |
ROP3 Code | 114240 |
Country | China | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 16 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Approximately 37,000 Naluo inhabit the steep mountainsides along the rivers of northern Yunnan and southern Sichuan Provinces. The majority are located in Luquan, Wuding, Dongchuan, and Yuanmou counties. Small numbers of Naluo reportedly live in Huize County of Zhaotong Prefecture and parts of Qujing Prefecture. Source: Operation China, 2000 |
Country | China |
Region | Asia, Northeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 16 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Approximately 37,000 Naluo inhabit the steep mountainsides along the rivers of northern Yunnan and southern Sichuan Provinces. The majority are located in Luquan, Wuding, Dongchuan, and Yuanmou counties. Small numbers of Naluo reportedly live in Huize County of Zhaotong Prefecture and parts of Qujing Prefecture.. Source: Operation China, 2000 |
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Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 26.00 %) |
32.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
62.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
6.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Naluo (49,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ylo Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Naluo (49,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ylo Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Naluo |
Primary Language: Naluo
Bible Translation Status: Translation Needed
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
None reported |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Operation China, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Profile Source | Operation China, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |