Gelao (仡佬族)

Language of Gelao (仡佬族)

Only around twenty-five per cent of Gelao people now speak the Gelao language, which belongs to the Chinese-Tibetan family of languages. Nor has the language remained pure, because of close contact with other ethnic groups. Some Gelao people are unable to communicate because they speak different languages, so they have adopted Chinese as their language, including the Miao, Buyei and Yi languages some also speak.

• Population:
• Distribution:  Guizhou and Guangxi
• Language: Gelao
• Religion:  Polytheism

Tradition of Gelao (仡佬族)

Before 1949, most Gelao people lived in mud huts, or houses made of stone or bamboo, though almost everyone now lives in wooden houses. Traditional clothes were still worn until only a few years ago. Children were betrothed in childhood and marriages were usually between cousins. In 1949, this practice was abandoned. Funerals are now mostly the same as in Han Chinese areas, though some retain singing and dancing, wine-drinking and scripture-reading. Usually, an animal sacrifice is involved and trees are used to mark graves instead of stones.

Culture of Gelao (仡佬族)

Proverbs, stories and poetry are prominent features of Gelao literature, and folk tales tell of bravery, honesty and diligence. Games include ‘Flower Dragon’ and ‘Bamboo-Strip Egg’, both ball games. Gelao people mostly celebrate the same customs as Han Chinese, but the methods of celebration differ. At Spring Festival rice cakes are offered to the ancestors and these are left untouched for three days. The Ox King Buddha is commemorated on the first day of the tenth lunar month, when the oxen are given a day of rest; some communities offer them rice cakes. One of the old Gelao superstitions is to avoid planting rice or building houses if thunder was heard. Carrying water, cooking food, cleaning houses and other activities were also taboo during the Spring Festival prior to 1949. Many places in China still bear evidence of Gelao habitation, even if no Gelao people live there any more. The name ‘Gelao’ dates back to the Ming dynasty, before which they were known as Liaos. These people were descended from the Yelang.

Modern Times of Gelao (仡佬族)

Before the founding of the PRC, the Gelao were mostly farmers with a low yield, which was hindered still further by drought. Cork production, bamboo weaving and other business were essential to their survival. Land at this time was mostly owned by landlords from other ethnic groups, and these rulers owned fifty per cent of the land. Living standards have now improved for the Gelao.