A'ou in China

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

Introduction / History

Although they have been officially counted as part of the Gelao nationality in China, the A'ou have their own ethnic identity and speak a language not mutually intelligible with any of the other Gelao varieties.

The ancestors of the A'ou have lived in Guizhou Province since time immemorial. Jacob Lee explains, "Some 2,000 years ago, many tribes lived in this southwestern part of China, each with its own ruler and territory. The Gelao, known in ancient times as the Liao, were one of the largest tribes and they called their country the Yelang Kingdom. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220), the imperial court sent armies to conquer the southwest, and then the king of Yelang submitted peacefully by the persuasion of the dispatched ambassadors. Subsequently, most of the tribal rulers were defeated, leaving only the king of Yelang still in control of his territory."


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most A'ou are hardworking farmers who earn a meager income cultivating rice from the poor Guizhou soil. As a result, many youth have moved to the cities in recent years in search of work.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most A'ou do not consider themselves religious, although they do honor their ancestors; many elderly people still make sacrifices to various spirits and gods.

There are no known Christians among the A'ou today. Catholic workers focused on the Gelao in other parts of Guizhou in the late 1800s, but no mission work specifically among the A'ou has ever been recorded. With a small population and living in a remote location, groups like the A'ou are often overlooked when Christian ministries plan their evangelism and church planting strategies.


What Are Their Needs?

The A'ou people need to be told about Jesus so they can experience the abundant life he offers them in John 10:10.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the A'ou people will have a spiritual longing that will open their hearts to the King of kings.
Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for a movement to Christ among them to begin soon.


Scripture Prayers for the A'ou in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General A'ou
People Name in Country A'ou
Pronunciation Ah-ow
Alternate Names A'ou Gelao
Population this Country 2,800
Population all Countries 2,800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18399
ROP3 Code 113993
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 population of approximately 2,000 speakers, the A'ou ethnic group inhabits three counties in the north central part of Guizhou Province in southern China. They are concentrated in the Longjiazhai District of Zhijin County; in the Shawo, Lannigou, and Xinkaitian districts of Qianxi County; and in and around the town of Pudi in Dafang County.   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 population of approximately 2,000 speakers, the A'ou ethnic group inhabits three counties in the north central part of Guizhou Province in southern China. They are concentrated in the Longjiazhai District of Zhijin County; in the Shawo, Lannigou, and Xinkaitian districts of Qianxi County; and in and around the town of Pudi in Dafang County..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
5.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
80.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
15.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Chinese, Mandarin
Language Code cmn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
A'ou
Primary Language Chinese, Mandarin
Language Code cmn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  A'ou
People Groups Speaking Chinese, Mandarin

Primary Language:  Chinese, Mandarin

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1864-1986)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1857-1981)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1874-2018)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
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Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus film: view in Mandarin Chinese Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
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Mobile App Android Bible app: 圣经当代译本修订版 - Chinese Bible Biblica
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Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM Mandarine General / Other
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
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Mobile App iOS Bible app: Chinese, Mandarin YouVersion Bibles
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Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
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Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Chinese, Mandarin Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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