Kelao farmers display strong affection for their oxen, and carefully tend to their needs. They even have birthday celebrations for their beasts each year!

The Kelao language, called "Gelo," is an unclassified Sino-Tibetan language spoken by only a minority of the population. Most Kelao speak either Han and/or other Chinese languages.

Presently, the Kelao live in compact farming villages where they work many hours a day, especially at planting and harvesting time. Families typically live in houses built of mud bricks or stone, with tile or straw roofs. Most of the homes have electricity.

What are their lives like?
The Kelao are farmers who raise corn and sweet potatoes, and where possible, grain, wheat, and rice. Formerly, many of them were tenant farmers, paying their rents in opium, grain, or labor services. In recent years, the state has encouraged commercial production of tobacco, palm trees, and medicinal herbs. Some other occupations include cork production, bamboo weaving, and making straw sandals.

China's economy has undergone many changes since the late 1970's. For example, free markets for food items and homemade goods have been reopened. Consequently, the standard of living in inner China has greatly improved. However, since most Chinese minority groups (including the Kelao) generally live in remote areas, improvements in their lifestyles have been few.

Until the 1950's, the Kelao wore a distinctive national costume. Black and white striped linen skirts were worn by the women, and long scarves were worn by both sexes. The women still wear these costumes on festive occasions.

The Kelao enjoy drama, music, and the arts. Oriental music has quite a unique sound because five, rather than eight, musical tones are used. Traditional instruments include the "sheng," (a mouth organ made of bamboo pipes), a seven-stringed guitar-like instrument called a "qin," and several flute-like instruments. The Kelao enjoy playing these, as well as other local folk instruments. Their folk literature, like their music, also has a cultural flavor all its own.

What are their beliefs?
Ancestor worship (praying to the spirits of deceased ancestors) is the core religious activity of the Kelao. The worship of "family ancestors" is a common practice among most Chinese; however, the Kelao usually worship the ancestors who founded their settlements, rather than deceased relatives.

Shamans (priests who communicate with the divine, control events, and use magic to cure the sick) are highly respected and even feared members of the Kelao community. Their services are heavily relied upon during times of illness, death, or family crisis. Shamans also have important roles during community festivals, which take place several times a year. In the sixth month, the Kelao offer wine and chickens to the spirits, in hopes that they will bless the rice crop. In the seventh month, the whole village joins to worship their ancestors by offering ritual sacrifices of oxen, sheep, and pigs. Another major festival for the "ox god" is held in the tenth month. Funeral practices include playing music, dancing, and offering animal sacrifices. The grave is then marked with a tree rather than a gravestone.

What are their needs?
In the 19th century, Catholics were very active in this region; however, there is currently no known Christian work among the Kelao. Christianity is strictly forbidden by the government, so there are no Christian radio or television broadcasts in the area. Only portions of the Bible have been translated into Gelo.

Prayer Points

• Pray against the spirits of ancestor worship and other Eastern religions that are keeping the Kelao bound.
• Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to China and share Christ with the Kelao.
• Pray that the doors of China will soon be opened to missionaries.
• Ask God to strengthen and encourage the small number of believers who live among the Kelao.
• Pray that God will soften the hearts of the Kelao to the Gospel.
• Pray that Christian literature, radio broadcasts, and television programs will soon be made available in the region where the Kelao live.
• Ask the Lord to raise up qualified linguists to complete translation of the Bible into Gelo.
• Pray for God to raise up a strong local church among the Kelao by the year 2000.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Kelao
• Country: China
• Their language: Gelo
• Population: (1990) 438,500
  (1995) 463,500
  (2000) 487,600
• Largest religion: Ethnic religionist 99.8%
• Christian: 0.2%
• Church members: 927
• Scriptures in their own language: Portions
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 0
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 84,400 (19%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 24,100 (6%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 60,300 (13%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 379,100 (81%)

• Country: China
• Population: (1990)1,135,043,000
  (1995)1,199,901,200
  (2000)1,262,195,800
• Major peoples in size order: Han Chinese (Mandarin) 67.7%
  Han Chinese (Wu) 7.5%
  Han Chinese (Cantonese) 4.5%
  Han Chinese (Hunanese) 3.5%
• Major religions: Nonreligious 55%
  Chinese Folk Religionist 17%
  Atheist 12.7%
  Christian 7.5%
  Buddhist 5.3%
  Muslim 2.4%
• Number of denominations: 42