The 1995 Lao census listed 95,440 Katang people in Laos, making them the sixth largest official ethnic group in the country.
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.
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 still 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.
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.
* Scripture Prayers for the Katang, Northern in Laos.
* Pray for a clear presentation of the gospel truth.
* 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.
Profile Source: Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-06-10 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-06-24 |
People Name General | Katang, Northern |
People Name in Country | Katang, Northern |
Natural Name | Northern Katang |
Population this Country | 68,000 |
Population all Countries | 68,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Kataang |
People ID | 12566 |
ROP3 Code | 104721 |
Country | Laos | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 20 (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 | 20 (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 |
Primary Language | Katang, Northern (68,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ncq Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Katang, Northern (68,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ncq Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Katang, Northern |
Primary Language: Katang, Northern
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2017) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
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 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
Unknown
|
Independent |
Unknown
|
Orthodox |
Unknown
|
Other Christian |
Unknown
|
Protestant |
Unknown
|
Roman Catholic |
Unknown
|
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2021 Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |