Khmu in Laos


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Subgroups: 5

Subgroup Name Population
Khmu, Keun Unknown
Khmu, Khong Unknown
Khmu, Lu Unknown
Khmu, Me Unknown
Khmu, Rok Unknown

Introduction / History

The Khmu Ou are easily the largest ethnic minority group in Laos. They live across a widespread area in northern Laos, spanning eleven provinces. The largest concentrations are found in Houaphan, Phongsali and Vientiane provinces. Nearly all the Khmu people in Laos are Khmu Ou.
There are several clans among the Khmu Ou. Each clan is named after a bird, mammal or vegetable. Members of the clan are not allowed to kill, eat or harm the animal or vegetable that their clan represents. In most locations the Khmu Ou live at the base of mountains and in forest valleys 400-800m (1,310-2,620 feet) above sea-level.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They often live with or near the Hmong, Iu Mien, Lao and Pong.


What Are Their Beliefs?

For centuries the Khmu Ou have been animists, worshiping various deities. Some of their principal spirits include the 'King spirit', the spirit of the house, forest, rivers, rice, and livestock.
In addition, there are many Khmu Ou Christians in Laos. Christian workers have seen the start of a people movement to Christ. More than half of the total number of professing Christians in the entire country of Laos are Khmu Ou.
In 1998, the following report indicated the great hunger many Khmu must find God.... "We received a report from a Khmu pastor, who complained that he hadn't been able to get a good night's sleep for months. The pastor was the only person in the area who owned a VCR. The Khmu's hunger for spiritual truth is so great that many have been watching the JESUS Film practically around the clock. They have no idea how to rewind the video and watch it again, so every few hours throughout the night the pastor hears, "Wake up! We want to watch it again!"


What Are Their Needs?

Given their past interest in the gospel, there is a great need for someone to take them gospel materials and disciple them in the ways of Jesus. The JESUS Film is an excellent evangelistic tool, but they need to understand and obey the word of God.


Prayer Points

Pray the flames of revival among the Khmu Ou would be flamed into a massive fire by the Holy Spirit.
Ask God to strengthen and mature the many new Khmu Ou believers.
Pray the Khmu Ou church would be used by God to take the gospel to all peoples throughout Laos.


Scripture Prayers for the Khmu in Laos.


References

Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Khmu
People Name in Country Khmu
Pronunciation kuh-MOO
Alternate Names Hok; Kammu; Kamu; Kemu; Kha; Kha Cau; Khamu; Kho Mu; Khomu; Khơ-mú; Lao Terng; Pouteng; Samon; Theng; Xa Cau
Population this Country 761,000
Population all Countries 887,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 18878
ROP3 Code 114799
ROP25 Code 303981
ROP25 Name Khmu
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Scattered in north.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Scattered in north..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
33.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 9.00 %)
10.00 %
Ethnic Religions
54.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
3.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Khmu (761,000 speakers)
Language Code kjg   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Khmu (761,000 speakers)
Language Code kjg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Khmu

Primary Language:  Khmu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1918-2016)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) 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 Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Khmu Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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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