Bouyei in Laos


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

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.


Prayer Points

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  

Additional Info
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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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

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.