Poluo in China

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

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Poluo need to be reached by Christians who will show them the love of Jesus,

and help bring them out of darkness and into his light.


Prayer Points

Ask God to begin preparing their hearts to hear about Jesus and give the Poluo people deep understanding.
Ask God to send caring Christians to teach them how to follow Jesus.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move mightily among Poluo elders and family leaders.
Pray for Poluo disciples who will disciple many others.


Scripture Prayers for the Poluo in China.


References

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
PeopleID3 18654
ROP3 Code 114276
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 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 19  (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.


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