Introduction / History

The Arem are part of the official Chut minority group. The Chut, who are a collection of between four and seven different tribes, are known as the most underdeveloped people in Laos and Vietnam. The name Chut is a generic term which simply means mountain or rocky cliff. Each group lives in a separate area defined by agreed-upon markers such as trees, rivers and streams. The members of one tribe are careful not to encroach onto the territory of their neighbors for fear of provoking war.

The Arem have their own distinct language, which is part of the Viet-Muong branch of the Mon-Khmer language family. The use of Arem is dwindling, however, and today there are only about 20 elderly people left who can speak it fluently. The Arem language has been replaced by a more general Chut language, which serves as the lingua franca (common speech) among the different Chut groups.

Arem people live in the Bouarapha District of Khammouan Province in eastern Laos. They live in an extremely remote area directly along the Laos-Vietnam border. One source places their location at both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border, west of Phuc Trac.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Only in recent decades did the Arem in Vietnam start to live in houses. In the past they preferred to move around deep within the forests, dwelling in caves, trees or temporary shacks. The Ruc and Arem were the last groups to start building houses in the 1960s.

According to a Vietnamese government report on the Chut, however, they may be heading back to their former lifestyles. Their population is dropping, and their agricultural efforts are failing. Some are returning to caves. Their level of poverty is such that a suitor often has nothing more than a secondhand knife to offer his in-laws for the bride price.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Arem and the other Chut tribes, are under-exposed to the gospel in both Laos and Vietnam. Instead of relying on the power and love of the Lord, they look to the spirit world to provide them with their daily needs. There are a small number of Arem beli

What Are Their Needs?

Christ followers can live among the Arem people and help them with their housing and medical needs. Those who understand how to develop productive farms can help them in this area.

Prayer Items

Pray the Arem would soon have access to the gospel and would be open to knowing Jesus Christ.
Ask God to send dedicated workers to the Arem.
Pray the Arem would be reached in a powerful manner so that people would know only God could do such a work.

Scripture Prayers for the Arem in Vietnam.

References

Peoples of Vietnam, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.