Kiorr in Laos

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

Introduction / History

The Kiorr people were driven out of their habitats by the invaders, dispersed and split into the isolated groups they are today. Ethno-historian James Olson, who calls the Angku in China by the name K 'ala, explains, "More than two thousand years ago, Han expansion reached K 'ala [Angku] country. By the Tang dynasty of the seventh and eighth centuries, [Angku people] had begun to distinguish themselves ethnically from surrounding peoples, acquiring a sense of group identity based on language and religion. During the centuries of the Tang dynasty, they found themselves under the political domination of the Nanzhao Kingdom. The Dai Kingdom controlled them during the Song dynasty from the tenth to thirteenth centuries."

Linguist Frank Proschan tells us that the Angku in Laos are also known as the Kiorr. Unspecified smaller numbers of them may also live in Thailand.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Angku women are fond of chewing betel nut, which blackens their teeth and gums. Stained teeth are considered a mark of beauty among Angku women. Since the betel juice only stains temporarily, some women use black dye to artificially stain their teeth.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Angku, like their Bulang counterparts, are staunch followers of Theravada Buddhism. Angku life revolves around the local temple. Traditionally all Angku boys become novice monks and live in the temple until they are 12 years old. The Angku obey the three tenets of Buddhism: practicing self-discipline, teaching and discussing doctrine. Buddhist temples are found in most Angku villages.


What Are Their Needs?

Few Angku have ever been exposed to the gospel. Their villages are away from the mainstream of travellers; therefore, it takes a specific effort to make contact with the Angku. So far, the few Christian workers who have labored in the region have preferred to target the larger minority groups, leaving the Angku without any witness or church. The nearest Christian community to the Angku are the Tai Lu and Han Chinese Christians living in Jinghong. There are no Scriptures or ministry tools available in the Angku language.


Prayer Points

Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Angku communities.

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Angku.

Pray for the Angku people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.

Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Angku people to change their society from within.

Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.

Resources


Scripture Prayers for the Kiorr in Laos.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kiorr
People Name in Country Kiorr
Alternate Names Con; K'ala; Samtuan
Population this Country 5,000
Population all Countries 5,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12706
ROP3 Code 105025
ROP25 Code 304042
ROP25 Name Kiorr
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 Luang Namtha and Oudomxai provinces: 6 villages.   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 Luang Namtha and Oudomxai provinces: 6 villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Kiorr in Laos Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
99.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.60 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kiorr (5,000 speakers)
Language Code xko   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kiorr (5,000 speakers)
Language Code xko   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kiorr

Primary Language:  Kiorr

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Map Source People Group location: SIL / WLMS. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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