Chong in Thailand


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

There are six small people groups in Cambodia which are linguistically related: the Chong, the Por (Peur, Pear), the Samre, the Saoch, the Somray and the Suoy (Suy). These groups are both linguistically and ethnically distinct from the Khmer majority. They are more likely to be found in Thailand.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They live in small, remote, isolated villages that are often located in heavily forested areas. Mostly they practice subsistence rice farming. Their fields are usually some distance away in the forest and every couple of years or so they will move them. They are very dependent on the monsoon rains and in flood or drought they will face food shortages. They also grow a few vegetables and bananas, and gather forest products such as resin, firewood and charcoal. Some still live in the Cardamom Mountains and collect cardamom from the forest. They mostly live in humble, short stilted; one room houses with the roofs made from leaves and walls made from leaves, bamboo and occasionally wood. They dress similarly to rural Khmers which is basically western style. Most are non-literate. Educational opportunities are quite limited and conducted in the national language, Khmer.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pearic people are primarily animistic. They worship Neak Ta or Arak whom they believe are powerful spirits which can harm them and require sacrifices to appease them. They often practice traditional medicine, which is a mixture of spiritism, and the use of medicinal plants gathered from the forest. However, most of these practices are not helpful and some are even harmful. They are very superstitious and live in great fear of the spirits. For example, those who live next to the cardamom forest have very specific "rules" about how they must behave while collecting cardamom in the forest.


What Are Their Needs?

They are extremely poor and looked down upon by the Khmer majority. They lack access to education and health care. They most importantly need someone who will take them the good news.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to call the Chong people to Jesus Christ.
May he thrust out workers to disciple them.
Pray for the Chong people to have the spiritual hunger it takes to overcome persecution.
Pray for a movement to Christ to come soon.


Scripture Prayers for the Chong in Thailand.


References

Cambodia Research Network. Click to email CRN inquiries and corrections Copyrighted © Used with permission.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Chong
People Name in Country Chong
Pronunciation chong
Alternate Names Chawng; Shong; Xong
Population this Country 2,100
Population all Countries 3,700
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11366
ROP3 Code 102183
ROP25 Code 301764
ROP25 Name Chong
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Chanthaburi province: Khao Khitchakut district, 4 villages; Trat province.   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 Chanthaburi province: Khao Khitchakut district, 4 villages; Trat province..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Chong in Thailand Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
99.20 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.80 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Chong (2,100 speakers)
Language Code cog   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Chong (2,100 speakers)
Language Code cog   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Chong

Primary Language:  Chong

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  SAMUDPOK - Shutterstock  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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