The Bisu share a common history with a larger group of related peoples, including the Mpi, Phunoi, and Pyen in the adjoining areas of Laos and Myanmar. Bisu history has been one of harassment and persecution at the hands of neighboring groups. The Bisu in northern Thailand migrated south along the Mekong River from either Yunnan or Laos earlier this century, encountering hostile peoples wherever they went. Today the Bisu are despised by both the Chinese and Thai majorities who call them a host of derogatory names.
The Bisu firmly hold to their own identity, wear their own distinct dress, and speak their own language. The Bisu in Menghai County are called Laopin or Pin, while those in Lancang and Menglian call themselves Laomian. This suggests possible ethno-linguistic differences between the two areas of Thailand.
Most aspects of Bisu village life revolve around their zealous appeasement of evil spirits. They do all they can to keep peace with the demanding demons. This traps the Bisu in dire poverty, as numerous valuable livestock are wasted in needless sacrifices.
Few groups seem to be so serious in their devotion and so bound in their fear of evil spirits as the Bisu. Every part of the Bisu culture includes spirit appeasement. The Bisu desire to live at peace and believe that ignoring the demons' demands will result in suffering, sickness, and disaster.
Not many have tried to take the gospel to the Bisu, despite the presence of Lahu and Wa Christians in their part of Thailand. There are a small number of believers in Menglian County, including a few Bisu, but the majority has absolutely no awareness of the gospel. In Thailand the Bisu invited a Christian family to live in their village and to invent a written script for their language. The handful of Bisu who have embraced Christianity have invariably experienced severe persecution from other Bisu in their communities.
Pray the Bisu would see they do not have to live in slavery to spirits if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling entire families to his side.
Pray for loving workers.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Scripture Prayers for the Bisu in Thailand.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bisu |
People Name in Country | Bisu |
Pronunciation | BEE-soo |
Alternate Names | Laomian; Laopin; Mbi; Mbisu; Mibisu; Misu; Pin |
Population this Country | 800 |
Population all Countries | 800 |
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 | 10881 |
ROP3 Code | 101498 |
ROP25 Code | 301267 |
ROP25 Name | Bisu |
Country | Thailand | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Chiang Rai province: Doi Chomphu and Pui Kham villages. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Thailand |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Chiang Rai province: Doi Chomphu and Pui Kham villages.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.80 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
99.20 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Bisu (800 speakers) |
Language Code | bzi Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Bisu (800 speakers) |
Language Code | bzi Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Bisu |
Primary Language: Bisu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2015) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2015-2017) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Bisu | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | Magdalena video | Jesus Film Project |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Bisu | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Bible app direct APK download | SIL |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Bisu | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Operation China, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | Joshua Project / Global Mapping International |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |