Northern Katang in Laos

The Northern Katang have only been reported in Laos
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Katang are dispersed over a wide-spread area of southern Laos. The majority live in the Atsaphangthong, Thapangthong, Xanbouri, Phin, Songkhon and Champon districts of Savannakhet Province; the Khongxedon, Ta-Oy, Toumian, Saravan, Laongam and Vapi districts of Saravan Province. Some live in the Xanasom-boun and Pakxong districts of Champasak Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In some of the more remote locations, the Katang live in houses made of braided leaves. In recent decades, however, many Katang have moved down from the hills onto the plains, where they have lost much of their cultural heritage and are on the way to assimilation to Lao culture and language.

Some aspects of Katang culture that are presently under threat includes the traditional Katang longhouse. For centuries extended families of Katang have lived under one roof. When they married, the house would be extended to accommodate the new couple and any children they would later have. At Tumlan Village, 40 km north of Saravan township, tourists can visit a 100 meter (328 feet) long longhouse, which contains thirty different families. Traditional Katang textiles, which feature numerous narrow bands of colors and patterns, are also produced there and sold to the Western and Asian tourists who pass through the area.

The Katang, both men and women, have for centuries stretched their earlobes and inserted large bamboo tubes in for decoration. This too, is rarely seen among young Katang today.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Katang people adhere to their traditional religion. They worship spirits that they believe offer protection and blessings. Although most Katang have absolutely no awareness of the gospel or the claims of Jesus Christ, there is one Katang church in Laos, with approximately 100 known believers. They have faced great opposition from local authorities, shamans and community leaders, who believe the presence of the Christians will bring a curse on the village from the spirits they have worshipped for countless generations. Most Katang are too bound by fear to consider converting to Christianity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Katang people need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.


Prayer Points

Pray for a clear presentation of the gospel truth leading to a movement to Christ.

Ask God to bless and anoint the small Katang church in Laos.

Pray the Holy Spirit would convict the Katang of sin, righteousness and judgment, that many would find Christ.

Pray for the Lord to provide for the Katang people in a way they will understand both his power and love.


Scripture Prayers for the Katang, Northern in Laos.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Katang, Northern
People Name in Country Katang, Northern
Natural Name Northern Katang
Pronunciation kah-TAHNG
Alternate Names Kataang
Population this Country 72,000
Population all Countries 72,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 12566
ROP3 Code 104721
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Salavan province: centered in Toumlan district; Savannahkhet province: Nong and Phin districts.   Source:  Ethnologue 2017
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Salavan province: centered in Toumlan district; Savannahkhet province: Nong and Phin districts..   Source:  Ethnologue 2017
Map of Katang, Northern in Laos Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
30.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.08 %)
0.08 %
Ethnic Religions
69.92 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Katang, Northern (72,000 speakers)
Language Code ncq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Katang, Northern (72,000 speakers)
Language Code ncq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Katang, Northern
Photo Source BigBrotherMouse - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
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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