Poussang in Laos

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

Introduction / History

The Poussang are an isolated, little-known people. They claim they originally came from China, as do all Tibeto-Burman speaking groups in Southeast Asia, but there is no record of a group by this name in China today. There are two separate areas of Poussang habitation in northern Laos. Most of them live at the juncture of four districts in the southern part of Phongsali Province. Another community of Poussang lives in the Namo District of Oudomxai Province. The villages of the Poussang are in isolated forests, situated at altitudes between 800-1,200 meters (2,620-3,930 feet) above sea-level.

The Poussang language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. It has never been studied in detail, but experts believe it to be partially related to Akha and possibly Lahu.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Information about the Poussang is scarce because the Lao government does not recognize them as a distinct ethnic group. In 1993, most Poussang people still did not use Lao money, but rather used goods to barter and trade with other groups. Their nearest neighbors are the Akha, Lu and Khmu.

Pre-marital sexual relations are encouraged by the Poussang elders, who also organize religious ceremonies and decide what new ideas should be allowed into their communities. The homes of the Poussang are constructed of bamboo and wood.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Poussang perform animistic rites whenever they build a new house, to ask the blessings of the spirits on the home and its occupants.

The Poussang are animists. They also worship their ancestors at set times throughout the year.


What Are Their Needs?

There are no known Christians among the Poussang. They are still waiting to hear the news of Jesus Christ for the first time throughout their long and difficult history.


Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual discernment and hunger among the Poussang people.

Ask God to send evangelists to the Poussang soon who will make disciples who will make even more disciples.

Pray the Poussang elders would not feel threatened by the introduction of the gospel but would welcome it.

Pray the Lord will make himself known to the Poussang people by providing an abundant harvest this year.


Scripture Prayers for the Poussang in Laos.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Poussang
People Name in Country Poussang
Alternate Names Foussang; Poufang
Population this Country 2,900
Population all Countries 2,900
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14457
ROP3 Code 108139
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 Phongali and Oudomxai provinces, Samphan and Namo districts.   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999
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 Phongali and Oudomxai provinces, Samphan and Namo districts..   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.69 %)
0.69 %
Ethnic Religions
99.31 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Phunoi (2,900 speakers)
Language Code pho   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Phunoi (2,900 speakers)
Language Code pho   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Phunoi

Primary Language:  Phunoi

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
General Language Learning Phrasebook They Need the Bible
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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