Pala in Laos

The Pala have only been reported in Laos
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Lao government does not count the Pala as a distinct ethnic group. It is probable they were officially counted as part of the Akha in the 1995 census, even though the Pala have a different autonym and language from other Akha groups in Laos.


Where Are they Located?

The Pala live in a mountainous area near the Oma, a group they share some cultural and linguistic similarities with. The Pala are an isolated group, living at an altitude of between 800-1500 meters (2,600-4,920 feet) above sea-level. The Pala are considered relatively closed to new ideas and development. They mostly trade with the Lao and the Khmu. On occasions they venture down to the market in Koua where they buy and barter for products they need.

Pala people inhabit 26 villages in northern Laos. Fourteen Pala villages are located within the Mai District of Phongsali Province, with an additional 12 villages in Koua District.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Pala women wear traditional clothing which they produce in their village. These days, they mostly wear their traditional clothes on festival days or when they go to the market. They add decorations of coins and aluminum to give a striking appearance. The women also adorn themselves with embroidered aprons, vests, trousers, and turbans. Both men's and women's everyday clothing are made of simple blue indigo cloth.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Animism and ancestor worship are the dominant religious beliefs among the Pala. Every home has a sacred ancestral altar where they make rituals and offerings at appointed times. The Pala worship other spirits and deities. Every June, after they plant the rice harvest, they hold a ceremony called Tgelapeu to honor the spirits of the village and the harvest. Other religious ceremonies are held whenever there is a birth, death, or wedding among the Pala. A spirit-priest is called upon to officiate. He acts as a mediator between the Pala and the spirits, taking the people's requests and prayers to the realm of the spirits.


What Are Their Needs?

The Pala are completely unreached by the gospel. Few have ever heard of Jesus Christ. Possibly the only Christian community in southern Phongsali is among the Khmu. They may represent the best opportunity for the Pala to hear.


Prayer Points

Ask God to send Khmu Christians to share Christ with the Pala. Pray for smooth communication.
Pray the Holy Spirit would draw many Pala to himself.
Pray the Lord would put a desire to seek the truth in the hearts of many Pala people in Laos.


Scripture Prayers for the Pala in Laos.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Pala
People Name in Country Pala
Alternate Names Bola; Bula; Laku; Pela; Pola; Polo
Population this Country 6,000
Population all Countries 6,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 10770
ROP3 Code 115323
ROP25 Code 306444
ROP25 Name Pala
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Phongsali and Luang Namtha provinces.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Phongsali and Luang Namtha provinces..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
100.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Akha (6,000 speakers)
Language Code ahk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Akha (6,000 speakers)
Language Code ahk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Akha
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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