The Giay (pronounced 'Zay') people live in 17 villages of northern Laos.
There is a great deal of confusion regarding the existence of the Giay in Laos. Some sources do not list the Giay, while others list the Nung, who are a large group in northern Vietnam. The Nung are not in Laos. The confusion is probably due to the fact that the Giay are commonly called Nhang in Vietnam. The majority of Giay live in southern China, where they make up one of the subgroups of China's massive Zhuang nationality. A few Giay are known to have migrated to France and southern California as refugees.
In northern Laos the Giay are scattered throughout three provinces. Nine Giay villages are located in Phongsali Province, six in Oudomxai and two in Luang Namtha Province.
In many places the Giay live alongside the Lu, Tai Deng and Tai Dam. Because of contact with these groups many Giay also have some understanding of their languages.
The Giay have reportedly lived in Laos about 200 years. They migrated from China, fleeing into Southeast Asia to escape persecution and harassment.
Giay wives must obey their husbands, unmarried women must obey their fathers, and widows must obey their sons. Giay women prefer to give birth in a squatting position in a room where an altar has been erected to ensure the spirits oversee a favorable birth. The placenta is later buried beneath the woman's bed.
Each Giay village has a forbidden forest where the biggest tree is considered sacred. Twice a year worship of the spirit of the village is celebrated at the foot of the tree. The Giay believe the universe is comprised of three separate levels. The upper level is the abode of spirits and the souls of the deceased. The middle strata contains humans, animals and this world, while the lowest level is situated under the earth.
Few Giay have heard that Jesus Christ died for them. They are trapped in superstition and fear of evil spirits. There are no strong Christian communities near the Giay in Laos.
Pray for a spiritual breakthrough to occur soon among the forgotten Giay people of Laos.
Ask God to raise up intercessors and churches focused on the Giay.
Pray the Holy Spirit would direct Christians in Laos to focus on the Giay and plant churches in their midst.
Scripture Prayers for the Bouyei in Laos.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Bouyei profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
People Name General | Bouyei |
People Name in Country | Bouyei |
Pronunciation |
zay
|
Alternate Names | Bố Y; Bo-i; Bui; Buman; Buyayi; Buyi; Buyui; Buzhong; Chung-Chia; Dioi; Giay; Kuei; Kui; Pui; Pu-i; Pujai; Pu-Jui; Puyi; Puyoi; Quinjiang; Shuihu; Zhongjia |
Population this Country | 7,600 |
Population all Countries | 3,372,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18421 |
ROP3 Code | 114016 |
Country | Laos | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 31 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Phongsali, Oudomxai, and Luang Namtha provinces. 17 villages. Source: Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999 |
Country | Laos |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 31 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Phongsali, Oudomxai, and Luang Namtha provinces. 17 villages.. Source: Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999 |
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Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
100.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Bouyei (7,600 speakers) |
Language Code | pcc Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Bouyei (7,600 speakers) |
Language Code | pcc Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Bouyei |
Primary Language: Bouyei
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1904-2021) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Bouyei | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Bouyei | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Lon&Queta - Flickr Creative Commons |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |