Naluo in China

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

Identity

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.


History

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.


Customs

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."


Religion

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.


Christianity

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.


Prayer Points

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
PeopleID3 18620
ROP3 Code 114240
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 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 19  (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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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

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:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  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. Learn more.


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