Halang Doan in Vietnam


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

One of the first mentions of the Halang Doan ethnic group in Laos came from French anthropologist P.B. Lafont in 1962. Lafont listed a population of 1,000 speakers of Halang Doan. In 1981, Wurm and Hattori listed a total Halang Doan population of 2,000 in both Laos and Vietnam.

The Halang Doan in Laos inhabit an area near the Vietnam border in the Sanxai District of Attapu Province. Another source specifically locates them on the "Kasseng Plateau, and the left banks of the Se Kamane [Xe Kaman] and Dak Robay rivers."

The Halang Doan dialect is distinct from Halang, although they are related and no doubt were originally part of the same ethnic group.

Animism is not only the religion of the Halang Doan, but it forms their entire world-view. The Halang Doan believe the universe is controlled by a hierarchy of spirit-beings, some good but most are considered bad.

One early missionary, writing in 1903, was amazed to see how deep animism affected the lives of tribal people in Laos. Lillian Johnson Curtis explained, "If a man wishes to go on a journey, he first makes a visit to some wise man who has a book containing an astrological table and a lucky day is sought for. The day must coincide with the birth of the man, the phase of the moon, and position of certain constellations. The wise man is given a fee, and then the traveler turns his thoughts to the spirits. Offerings are made to them to insure their good will or at least gain their neutrality, and the journey is begun…. When crossing the mountains or passing through the rapids a halt is called and food and flowers and offered to the residing spirits of the place. Often bamboo withes are woven into fancy shapes and hung upon a bush or tree to please the spirits. Another device is made by weaving six flat withes of bamboo into a hexagonal shape…. This is called ta-leo, and is thought to entangle the spirit when it comes to molest. Thus at the mountain passes one always finds an accumulation of these woven charms swinging in the breeze."

While almost every aspect of their daily lives are spent in earnest attempts to avoid the wrath of demons, the Halang Doan have been unable to accept the Savior, before whom demons tremble.


Prayer Points

Pray the Halang Doan would see the power of God is greater than the power of demons.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Son of God to the Halang Doan.
Pray the small number of Halang believers in Vietnam would spread the Gospel to the Halang Doan in Laos.


Scripture Prayers for the Halang Doan in Vietnam.


Profile Source:   Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Halang Doan
People Name in Country Halang Doan
Alternate Names Doan; Duan; Halang; Koyong; Salang; Salang Doan; Xơ-đăng
Population this Country 3,600
Population all Countries 6,900
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 12039
ROP3 Code 103655
ROP25 Code 302942
ROP25 Name Halang
Country Vietnam
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 35  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kon Tum province: between Sedang [sed] and Cua [cua] language areas.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Vietnam
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 35  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kon Tum province: between Sedang [sed] and Cua [cua] language areas..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.90 %)
20.00 %
Ethnic Religions
80.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Halang Doan (3,600 speakers)
Language Code hld   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Halang Doan (3,600 speakers)
Language Code hld   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Halang Doan

Primary Language:  Halang Doan

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Profile Source Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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