Poluo in China
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Despite their large population, very little is known about the Poluo, who are officially counted as part of the Yi nationality. The Poluo have never before been listed in ethnographic or linguistic lists from China. One researcher has stated, "The Poluo never refer to themselves as 'Yi' in their own language; instead, Poluo is used. The Han Chinese in their areas are also apt to call this people Pu instead of Yi. The title Yi is virtually meaningless in reference to this people."
The Poluo are one of the most far-flung Yi groups in China today. They are believed to be the descendants of a large tribe that splintered into numerous ethnic groups during migrations many centuries ago.
Poluo houses are customarily built near streams or rivers to allow easy access to water. Bamboo pipes are arranged to carry the water into the village. Many Poluo live in extremely remote locations at the top of isolated mountains.
The vast majority of Poluo still adhere to the superstitions of animism, polytheism and ancestor worship. In some locations a festival is observed on a dragon or ox day of the second lunar month. Each village chooses a day, and all the people gather around a large tree to hold a ceremony in worship of the dragon. The Poluo, along with many other peoples classified as Yi, believe the dragon is responsible for rainfall and other natural phenomena. They hope to appease the dragon in order to quell floods and prevent drought.
The Poluo people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers in John 10:10.
Pray for the spiritual blindness and bondage to the evil one to be removed so they can understand and respond to Christ.
Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the Poluo people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.
Scripture Prayers for the Poluo in China.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
| People Name General | Poluo |
| People Name in Country | Poluo |
| Pronunciation | Poh-luoh |
| Alternate Names | Aza; Pola; Polo; Pu; Pula; Puzu |
| Population this Country | 33,000 |
| Population all Countries | 33,000 |
| Total Countries | 1 |
| Indigenous | Yes |
| Progress Scale | 1 ● |
| Unreached | Yes |
| Frontier People Group | Yes |
| Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
| People ID | 18654 |
| ROP3 Code | 114276 |
| 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 | With a relatively large population of 230,000, the Poluo inhabit a widespread area in southeastern Yunnan Province. The highest concentration are found in Yanshan, Wenshan, and Qiubei counties of Wenshan Prefecture. Smaller numbers live in Maguan, Pingbian, Guangnan, Xichou, and Hekou counties. Yanshan County was only opened to foreign travelers in mid-1997. The Poluo are the dominant Yi group in southeastern Yunnan Province. 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 | With a relatively large population of 230,000, the Poluo inhabit a widespread area in southeastern Yunnan Province. The highest concentration are found in Yanshan, Wenshan, and Qiubei counties of Wenshan Prefecture. Smaller numbers live in Maguan, Pingbian, Guangnan, Xichou, and Hekou counties. Yanshan County was only opened to foreign travelers in mid-1997. The Poluo are the dominant Yi group in southeastern Yunnan Province.. Source: Operation China, 2000 |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
|---|---|
| Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
| Christianity (Evangelical 0.04 %) |
0.10 %
|
| Ethnic Religions |
93.90 %
|
| Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
| Islam |
0.00 %
|
| Non-Religious |
6.00 %
|
| Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
| Unknown |
0.00 %
|
| Primary Language | Pholo (33,000 speakers) |
| Language Code | yip Ethnologue Listing |
| Language Written | Unknown |
| Total Languages | 1 |
| Primary Language | Pholo (33,000 speakers) |
| Language Code | yip Ethnologue Listing |
| Total Languages | 1 |
| People Groups | Speaking Pholo |
Primary Language: Pholo
Bible Translation Status: Translation Needed
| Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| None reported |
| Photo Source | Paul Noll |
| Map Source | Joshua Project / Global Mapping International |
| Profile Source | Joshua Project |
| Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |
