Brao in Cambodia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Brao of northeast Cambodia have dark skin and black hair, resembling the majority Khmer and Lao lowlanders of the region, although Brao are generally shorter in stature. They are one of several hilltribes inhabiting isolated villages in Ratanakiri province of northeastern Cambodia and in Attapeu province of southeastern Laos.
The Brao language is a member of the Mon-Khmer language family. Krung, Kravet, Lun and Laveh are also names for the overall Brao ethnic group. These represent mutually intelligible dialects within the group. Older Brao often wear traditional dress. Their earlobes are stretched from wearing large elephant tusk earrings in the past. Their faces sometimes bear tattoos, also a fashion from the past. Younger people generally wear western clothing purchased in the market.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Brao differ from the lowland paddy rice farmers of the region. They traditionally depend heavily on the forest for their livelihood and usually grow upland dry rice using swidden agriculture methods. Cash crops like cashew and coffee provide limited income. Rolling forested hills of red volcanic earth cover much of the Brao homeland and several major rivers traverse flat floodplains. Hunting, fishing and raising animals provide protein in their diet. Unfortunately, recent logging has deforested vast tracts of their land. Women are often seen walking the red dirt roads with baskets on their backs carrying produce and goods.


What Are Their Beliefs?

For centuries they have maintained animistic beliefs rather than embracing the Buddhist religion of the lowland people. The Brao live in continual fear of evil spirits. Village elders are responsible for leading village sacrifices made to spirits in the forest, streams, rocks and fields. This maintains order in the community so that the spirits are not disturbed. Village diviners determine the cause of sickness through ritual and prescribe an animal to be sacrificed to the respective spirit.
Sickness and crop failure are generally blamed on spirits. Arak and Bras are the local names for spirits requiring appeasement. Villagers raise chickens, pigs, cows and water buffalo primarily for sacrifice. Village sacrifices, weddings and funerals involve the entire village drinking large quantities of rice wine over several days.


What Are Their Needs?

The Brao were untouched by the gospel until 1992. Today there are around 200 believers in Cambodia in small, isolated groups. However, because of government restrictions, the Brao living in Laos have not yet heard the gospel. A part-time Bible school has begun, and church leader training remains a long-term need.
The Brao are very poor, with little access to schooling, literacy programs and electricity. Additionally, illegal logging and land concessions encroach on traditional Brao land. Access to justice through the court system is difficult to obtain.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for the Brao’s material needs as a testimony of his power and goodness.
Pray for Bra disciples who will make more disciples.
Pray for them to find the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace the only savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Brao in Cambodia.


References

Cambodia Research Network. Copyrighted © Used with permission.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Brao
People Name in Country Brao
Alternate Names Braou; Brau; Brâu; Bru; Lave; Laveh; Love; Proue
Population this Country 11,000
Population all Countries 40,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 10960
ROP3 Code 101655
Country Cambodia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Ratanakiri province: Ta Veaeng district, north of Sesan river.   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 Ratanakiri province: Ta Veaeng district, north of Sesan river..   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 8.00 %)
10.00 %
Ethnic Religions
90.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Brao (11,000 speakers)
Language Code brb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Brao (11,000 speakers)
Language Code brb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Brao

Primary Language:  Brao

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2007-2011)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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 The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Brao YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Brao YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Cambodia Research Network  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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