Tai Doi in Myanmar (Burma)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

There is a measure of confusion regarding the differences between Tai Doi and Tai Loi. Tai Doi simply means "mountain people." The authoritative Ethnologue lists it as a dialect of Tai Loi. There seems to be evidence that the Tai Loi and Tai Doi are closely related yet are geographically separated. The Tai Loi live further to the north, near the juncture of Laos, China and Myanmar. Neither group is even mentioned in official Lao literature as an ethnic group.
Another point of confusion is their language. The Ethnologue places it under the Palaungic branch of the Mon-Khmer language family, while the Atlas des Ethnies et des Sous-Ethnies du Laos places Tai Loi under their Tai section, and even states the Tai Loi language is close to Tai Dam, while their culture is similar to the Lu. We believe the Tai Doi are a Mon-Khmer speaking group, but the confusion is caused by the fact they have lived for centuries surrounded by Tai-speaking peoples and have absorbed many linguistic and cultural influences.
The Tai Doi have lived in Long District of Luang Namtha for at least five generations. In April, 1994, some 19 Tai Doi families reportedly left the Muang Kham Village with all their possessions, and walked two days to join themselves with Lu and Tai Dam villages.
Tai Doi people inhabit three villages in the Long District of Luang Namtha Province in northern Laos. The names of the three villages are Muang Kham, Dondchay and Muong. The Tai Loi are also located on the other side of the Mekong River in the eastern part of Myanmar's Shan State. Most of them live in Myanmar.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tai Doi live in mixed villages with the Lu and the Akha. The Tai Doi traditionally had a clan system, but it is no longer used today. Each Tai Doi house contains two families. They put their villages near a river or stream after consulting a shaman for the most auspicious place.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tai Doi are animists. They also worship their ancestors once a year. Some adhere to Theravada Buddhism, having been influenced by their Lu neighbors. There are no known followers of Christ among the Tai Doi of Laos, though there are some in Myanmar.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tai Doi people need the opportunity to accept the blessings and abundant life promised by Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray that Asian Christians would be burdened for the salvation of the Tai Doi.
Ask God to send Holy Spirit anointed workers to share the gospel with the Tai Doi.
Pray the Tai Doi in both Myanmar and Laos would soon be blessed with a movement to Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Tai Doi in Myanmar (Burma).


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tai Doi
People Name in Country Tai Doi
Alternate Names Doi; Loi; Monglwe; Tailoi; Wakut
Population this Country 5,100
Population all Countries 5,400
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 16146
ROP3 Code 111244
ROP25 Code 307841
ROP25 Name Tai Doi
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 17  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country East Shan State, north Mong Yawng township and into China.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 17  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country East Shan State, north Mong Yawng township and into China..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Buddhism
Religion Subdivision: Theravada
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
70.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
25.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tai Loi (5,100 speakers)
Language Code tlq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tai Loi (5,100 speakers)
Language Code tlq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tai Loi

Primary Language:  Tai Loi

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 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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