Talieng in Laos

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

Introduction / History

Talieng means "headhunters." The Talieng are one of the subgroups that make up the official Gie Trieng minority group in Vietnam.

The Talieng people live in southeastern Laos. They are concentrated in remote mountainous areas of Xekong and Attapu provinces, near the border with Vietnam. In Laos the Talieng often live in mixed villages with the Ngae, Alak and Katu ethnic groups. In the past, the Talieng lived entirely in the Dakchung District on the Vietnam border, but since 1984 they have gradually migrated further westward in search for new land.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The construction of the Dakchung Highway in 1990 has opened up the Talieng to the rest of Laos. Many Talieng, however, remain in extremely isolated communities at least 1,500m (4,920 feet) above sea-level. They have little or no interaction with other groups. Because of this, the Talieng are one of the few remaining groups in southern Laos who still have their own customs and traditional dress.

In the past, polygamy was common among the ruling class, but now most families are monogamous. The Talieng people consume massive quantities of tobacco and alcohol. During festivals Talieng people of all ages wind up laying around the village in a completely drunken state. Talieng from different clans are strictly forbidden from living in the same house.

The youngest child of each Talieng family is responsible for taking care of his or her parents and for worshiping the ancestors. In the 3rd lunar month of every year the Talieng hold a 7-day ceremony where they hold prayer for all Talieng ancestors. They sacrifice buffaloes in front of the communal village house.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Talieng construct houses for the spirits and deities they believe can protect and bless them. Few have ever heard of the God who conquered demons and hell forever.

There are a number of Talieng Christians in Vietnam, but the massive mountains and political restrictions between Vietnam and Laos have prevented the gospel from spreading across the border.


What Are Their Needs?

The Talieng people need the abundant life that only comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray the Talieng people, especially those in remote areas, will hear and respond to the abundant grace of Jesus.

Pray there would soon be a strong church planting movement among the Talieng of Laos.

Wrestle in prayer against the powerful spirits and witchcraft that keep the Talieng in spiritual chains.


Scripture Prayers for the Talieng in Laos.


References

Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Talieng
People Name in Country Talieng
Pronunciation TAH-lee-ehng
Alternate Names Gié-Triêng; Kaseng; Tariang
Population this Country 39,000
Population all Countries 39,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 15216
ROP3 Code 109758
ROP25 Code 307887
ROP25 Name Talieng
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 Xekong and Attapu provinces, Dakchung, Lamam, and Sanxai districts.   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999
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 Xekong and Attapu provinces, Dakchung, Lamam, and Sanxai districts..   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999
Map of Talieng in Laos Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.12 %)
0.20 %
Ethnic Religions
99.80 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Talieng (39,000 speakers)
Language Code tdf   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Talieng (39,000 speakers)
Language Code tdf   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Talieng

Primary Language:  Talieng

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. 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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