Rtahu Amdo in China

The Rtahu Amdo have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Buddhism (Tibetan)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction

You know that the Dalai Lama is Tibetan, but did you know he is from one of the Amdo groups? An eighth-century Tibetan sage prophesied that “When the iron bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the world and the Dharma will come to the land of the Red Man.” The Rtahu Amdo people speak one of the four Amdo languages. Though many have fled to India, most remain in China.


Ministry Obstacles

The Rtahu Amdo are dedicated Tibetan Buddhists. They worship spirit beings. No Christian believers live among the Rtahu Amdo, and if anyone in the tribe places all his or her trust in Christ, the community response will undoubtedly be serious.


Prayer Focus

Pray that the Rtahu Amdo would seek the freedom that can only be found in Christ—no matter where they live and no matter who rules over them.
Pray that they would come to know God's government, the one ruled by a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Pray for a movement to Christ to flourish among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Amdo, Rtahu in China.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Amdo, Rtahu
People Name in Country Amdo, Rtahu
Natural Name Rtahu Amdo
Pronunciation TA-hoo AHM-doe
Alternate Names Amdo; Rtahu; Tahu
Population this Country 100,000
Population all Countries 100,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 18395
ROP3 Code 113988
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 15  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 70,000 Tibetans in northwest Sichuan Province speak the Rtahu Amdo language. They live primarily on grasslands along the banks of the turbulent Xianshui River in Dawu and Luhuo counties. These two counties form part of the huge Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture which is home primarily to the fierce Khampa Tibetans.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 15  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 70,000 Tibetans in northwest Sichuan Province speak the Rtahu Amdo language. They live primarily on grasslands along the banks of the turbulent Xianshui River in Dawu and Luhuo counties. These two counties form part of the huge Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture which is home primarily to the fierce Khampa Tibetans..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Amdo, Rtahu in China
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism (Tibetan)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
100.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tibetan, Amdo (100,000 speakers)
Language Code adx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Rtahu
Dialect Code 6957   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tibetan, Amdo (100,000 speakers)
Language Code adx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Rtahu
Dialect Code 6957   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tibetan, Amdo
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2025  Marcin Szymczak - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Location: Operation China. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.