Saek in Thailand


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Because of ceaseless Chinese pressure, the Tai speaking tribes emigrated south from China, conquering many peoples along the way. By the thirteenth century, they had made their way to Laos and Thailand.


The Saek (Tai Sek) live along both sides of the Mekong River in central Laos. There is also a community of Saek people living in northeastern Thailand near the Vietnam border. The Saek speak a Diac language, called Saek, which belongs to the northern Tai branch. Many also speak Lao and Thai.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Through extensive contact, the Saek (like other tribes), have been assimilated into Lao and Thai culture. Almost every aspect of Saek society reflects their assimilation into these dominant cultures. However, the famous "round dances" of the Saek women remain one of the unique characteristics of their culture. They also have their own language, Saek, though it is related to many other languages in their region.


Saek homes are made of wood or bamboo. They are built on stilts. The family's livestock (mainly poultry, pigs and goats) run freely underneath the houses. Farmlands are next to the residential areas. While rice is the chief crop of the Saek, they also raise a wide variety of crops for consumption and trade. Fishing and hunting are also important activities. The Saek remain in frequent contact with the Lao and the Thai by bartering goods such as meat and vegetables for clothing and salt.


The Saek depend on the monsoon rainfall to water their fields. Men clear the fields for planting, build houses, fish, and hunt. The women weed the fields, help with the harvest and carry on most of the trading. Very few of the Saek have moved to the cities.


The most significant political unit in Saek society is the village. Each village is independent from the others and has a headman who decides on important issues. The nuclear family, headed by the father, is also a vital part of the Saek culture. Intermarriage with the So in Laos is a common practice within Saek society.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Saek people are officially Buddhist, but animistic beliefs dominate their daily activities. The spirit world terrifies them. If a family member passes away inside a Saek home, they will sometimes completely abandon the house, afraid that the lingering spirit will incessantly torment them. These spirits are based on the forces of nature. The Saek people make offerings to these spirits because they believe this will prevent sicknesses. Their villages do this on a larger scale by honoring a guardian spirit.


What Are Their Needs?

The Saek people need to find their way to the cross and the empty grave. They need to put their faith in the loving Father, not in destructive spirits.


Prayer Points

Pray for Saek people in Thailand and Laos to have open and receptive hearts, and that they would encounter the King of kings.


Pray that movements to Christ would explode, as followers make followers, and that they would place their identity in Christ.


Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the spiritual soil through worship and intercession.


Ask the Lord to bring forth a vigorous Saek Church for the glory of his name!


Scripture Prayers for the Saek in Thailand.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Saek
People Name in Country Saek
Alternate Names Seak; Sek; Set; Tai Sek; Tai Set; Xaek; Xec; Xek
Population this Country 21,000
Population all Countries 25,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14631
ROP3 Code 108502
ROP25 Code 307105
ROP25 Name Saek
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Nakhon Phanom province: Mueang Nakhon Phanom district, At Samat sub-district; Na Wa district, Tha Ruea sub-district.   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 Nakhon Phanom province: Mueang Nakhon Phanom district, At Samat sub-district; Na Wa district, Tha Ruea sub-district..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
80.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
20.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Saek
Language Code skb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Saek
Language Code skb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Saek

Primary Language:  Saek

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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