More than 2,500 people belonging to the Kuan ethnic group (also known as Tai Kouane) live in the Viangthong District of Borikhamxai Province in central Laos. The Kuan live near the banks of the Mouan River.
The Kuan, who are a Tai-speaking group, should not be mistaken for the Khuen-a Mon-Khmer speaking group in northern Laos. The Kuan see themselves as distinct from all other people groups in Laos.
Although traditionally the Kuan were animists, there is a growing Buddhist influence being put on them by the Lao and other Buddhist communities in the area. The Kuan have absorbed many Buddhist rituals into their religious ceremonies, while keeping their ancient animism intact.
It could be noted that Buddhism was never able to fully replace animism in Laos, but rather has been absorbed into animistic practices that go back to the beginning of history in Laos.
According to one Christian missionary, the history of Buddhism in Laos dates back to around the fifth century AD, when "there came missionaries from Ceylon [Sri Lanka] into the Laos provinces bearing with them the sacred scriptures of the Buddhists. We might say that these missionaries were very successful, for they were not persecuted or stoned, nor killed, and they had the reward of seeing the people by villages and towns embracing their teachings. How different was the reception and spread of this religion from the true religion which the white-faced missionaries brought fourteen centuries afterwards! The secret lay in the fact that Buddhism was not exclusive while Christianity was; Buddhism allowed its adherents to retain their old system of spirit-worship, while Christianity said, Ye cannot serve two masters. Buddhism simply supplemented the existent faith, adding hereto a moral code and a clerical literature, while Christianity insisted, first, put off the old man with his deeds.... And so Buddhism flourished and became the nominal religion of the land, save of a few hill tribes here and there. But the old religion brought down with the Tais from the valley of the Yangtsi still lived and ruled men's hearts."
Reports indicate there are no known Christians among the Kuan in Laos.
* Scripture Prayers for the Kuan in Laos.
* Pray the Kingdom of God would triumph over both animism and Buddhism among the Kuan people.
* Ask God to burden the hearts of the Kuan to know the Truth.
* Pray the Kuan would soon believe in Him who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."
Profile Source: Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Kuan |
People Name in Country | Kuan |
Pronunciation | Khoo-ahn |
Population this Country | 900 |
Population all Countries | 900 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 0 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Khouen; Khuen; Khween; Kuanhua; Kween; Tai Kouane; Tai Kouanne |
People ID | 18527 |
ROP3 Code | 114142 |
Country | Laos | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 20 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Borikhamxai province, Viangthong district Source: Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999 |
Country | Laos |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 20 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Borikhamxai province, Viangthong district. Source: Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999 |
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Primary Language | Kuan (900 speakers) |
Language Code | uan Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Kuan (900 speakers) |
Language Code | uan Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Kuan |
Primary Language: Kuan
Bible Translation Status: Translation Needed
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
None reported |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
10.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
90.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
Unknown
|
Independent |
Unknown
|
Orthodox |
Unknown
|
Other Christian |
Unknown
|
Protestant |
Unknown
|
Roman Catholic |
Unknown
|
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2021 Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Profile Source | Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |