Lao Phuan in Cambodia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Lao Phuan people once had their own kingdom called Muang Phuan. It was located in what is now Xieng Khouang Province of Laos. Their people were often mauled by outside kingdoms, especially by the Siamese Kingdom in the 19th century. Their people were taken by the Siamese (now called Thai) people to dig canals in Bangkok in the early 19th century. In the middle of the 19th century, armed bandits from China's Yunnan Province inflicted even more harm on the Muang Phuan Kingdom. In 1873, the Siamese army drove these bandits out of the region, but the bandits tried to return. During the course of this fighting, the Phuan fled their homeland, and the Siamese military rounded them up and drove them to central Thailand where they became slaves. The Phuan population by this time had been reduced by three-fourths, and the Muang Phuan Kingdom ceased to exist for all practical purposes.


Where Are they Located?

The Lao Phuan people live mainly in Laos and Thailand today, though there are also those who live in Cambodia. Those in Thailand have been somewhat assimilated according to infomekong.com.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Like most peoples in Cambodia and Laos, the Lao Phuan are rice farmers. Their households raise livestock, and they supplement their diet with fresh water fish. They also raise silk worms which produce thread for the fine garments which they either wear or sell. On a social level, the Lao Phuan people try hard to maintain their traditions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lao Phuan people consider themselves to be devout Buddhists, but they are actually more devoted to their animistic practices. Their form of Buddhism is corrupted by their ancient religious practices. They believe there are three kinds of death, and the least desirable is death by accident or violence. They believe these premature deaths are caused by the spirits. They do not cremate such people, which to them means that the soul cannot be released to ascend to heaven or be reborn into another body.


What Are Their Needs?

The Lao Phuan people need to be released from fear of wicked spirits.


Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual openness among the Lao Phuan people of Cambodia and Laos.
Pray for the Lao Phuan people to have the chance to hear the gospel in a culturally appropriate way.
Pray for a disciple making movement among this people group to transform their communities in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.


Scripture Prayers for the Lao Phuan in Cambodia.


References

http://www.infomekong.com/peoples/lao-phuan/
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Lao-Phuan-People-in-Laos-and-Thailand/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Lao Phuan
People Name in Country Lao Phuan
Pronunciation lao foo-AHN
Alternate Names Phouan; Phu; Phu Un; Phuan; Poan; Puan; Un
Population this Country 2,400
Population all Countries 372,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14379
ROP3 Code 108011
ROP25 Code 306692
ROP25 Name Phuan
Country Cambodia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Banteay Meanchey province: Mongkol Borei district, Boung Preang, Kok Thnong, Pong Ror, Pouy Ta Sek, Prey To Teang, Rohat Teak, Sdey Kraom, Sdey Leu, Sranal, and Ta Sal villages.   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Country Cambodia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Banteay Meanchey province: Mongkol Borei district, Boung Preang, Kok Thnong, Pong Ror, Pouy Ta Sek, Prey To Teang, Rohat Teak, Sdey Kraom, Sdey Leu, Sranal, and Ta Sal villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Map of Lao Phuan in Cambodia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
98.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Phuan (2,400 speakers)
Language Code phu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Phuan (2,400 speakers)
Language Code phu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Phuan

Primary Language:  Phuan

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source PTD Phonsavan - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: Ethnologue. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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