Gelao
| Gelao | |
|---|---|
| Total population | 550,000 (est.) |
| Regions with significant populations | China: Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, smaller populations in Vietnam |
| Language | Gelao |
| Religion | Taoism |
The Gelao people (also spelled Gelo) (own name: Klau, Chinese: 仡佬族 Gēlǎozú) are an ethnic group. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China.
They number approximately 438,200 and are mainly located in the western part of the Guizhou Province. Some live in Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan. The main religion practiced is Taoism.
Contents |
Language
The Gelao language, belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family. Today, only a small minority of the Gelaos still speak this language. Since the various Gelao dialects differ greatly from each other, Mandarin has been used as a lingua franca and is now the main language spoken by Gelaos. The Miao, Yi and Buyei languages are also used.
The Gelao language does not have an alphabet. Chinese characters are used instead.
Culture
The traditional suits of the men consist of jacket done up to a side and long pants. The women utilize short jackets and narrow skirts divided into three parts: the head office is elaborate in red wool while the other two are of fabric bordered in black and white colors. Men and women utilize long scarves.
External links
See alslo
| Chinese ethnic groups (as classified by the government of the PRC) |
|---|
| Achang • Bai • Blang • Bonan • Buyei • Dai • Daur • De'ang • Derung • Dong • Dongxiang • Evenk • Gaoshan • Gelao • Han • Hani • Hezhen • Hui • Jing • Jingpo • Jino • Kazakh • Kirgiz • Korean • Lahu • Lhoba • Li • Lisu • Manchu • Maonan • Miao • Monba • Mongol • Mulao • Nakhi • Nu • Oroqen • Pumi • Qiang • Russian • Salar • She • Shui • Tajik • Tatar • Tibetan • Tu • Tujia • Uyghur • Uzbek • Va • Xibe • Yao • Yi • Yugur • Zhuang • Undistinguished ethnic groups |
| Ethnic groups in Vietnam (sorted by language family) |  | ||||||||||||||||||
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Categories
Ethnic groups in China | Ethnic groups in Vietnam