Khua in Laos

People Name:	Khua
Country:	Laos
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	4,800
World Population:	6,100
Primary Language:	Khua
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.20 %
Evangelicals:	0.20 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Mon-Khmer
Affinity Bloc:	Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Ethnic Khua people live in the northern part of Bouarapha District in Khammouan Province of Laos. A larger number of Khua live across the border in central Vietnam, where they are officially counted as a subgroup of the Bru-Van Kieu minority.

The Khua are not the same ethno-linguistic group as the Cua, a Bahnaric-speaking group in Vietnam who live further south of the Khua. In Vietnam the Cua have been officially counted as part of the Co ethnic minority.

The Khua language is related to Bru, So, and Mangkong. It is part of the West Katuic branch of the Mon-Khmer family.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Until recently the Khua produced all their clothing by dyeing fibers made from crushed tree bark. Today there is a growing tendency to wear normal Western attire.

The remote area inhabited by the Khua is part of the massive Nakai-Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area. The wildlife area, formed in 1993, measures 3,710 sq. kilometers (1,447 sq. miles) in size. It contains "extensive stands of wet and dry evergreen, old growth pine, cypress and riverside forest…. Over a dozen threatened species live in the area, including elephant (one of the country's largest herds), giant muntjac (endemic to this region), gaur, banteng, Asiatic black bear, Malayan sun bear, clouded leopard, tiger and the saola (Vu Quang ox), a horned animal unknown to scientists before its discovery in 1992."

What Are Their Beliefs?

Numerous generations of Khua have come and gone, but each has in common the Khua's belief in spirit worship and fear of demonic powers. The Khua do not have any affection for the spirits, but believe it is absolutely necessary for them to appease and placate them in order to avoid their wrath.

What Are Their Needs?

The few individuals who identify as Christians among the Khua people need to be discipled and encouraged in their faith.

Prayer Points

* Pray the Khua would see they do not have to live in slavery to demons if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
* Ask God to send evangelists and disciplers to help more of the Khua tribe become mature followers of Jesus.
* Pray heart-felt worship of the King of Kings would be heard among the Laos-Vietnam mountain ranges.