Alu in Vietnam

People Name:	Alu
Country:	Vietnam
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	4,000
World Population:	15,600
Primary Language:	Nisu, Eastern
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.19 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Tibeto-Burman, other
Affinity Bloc:	Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Because of their extreme geographic isolation, the Alu are not well known. They have little contact with the outside world. During China's Tang and Song dynasties (581-1276), the various Yi groups in southern China were known by the Chinese as the "Seven tribes of Wuman." They were part of a much larger Tibeto-Burman group. According to Chinese records, the Wuman started to migrate southward into Yunnan during the second century BC and gradually splintered into the numerous different tribes and clans that make up the Yi nationality today. One of these tribes is the Alu. Some fanned out into various parts of Southeast Asia including Vietnam.

Where Are they Located?

The Alu people live in China, Laos and Vietnam.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Alu families live in packed-dirt homes with flat roofs. They use the flat roofs as a place to dry grain. Alu homes usually have three large rooms. The central room is used as a living room, dining room, and an animistic worship center. The other two rooms serve as a kitchen and a bedroom. In some areas, the Alu slap water buffalo manure on the sides of their homes and leave it to dry in the sun. The dried manure is later used for fuel and also for insulation from the weather in the winter.

Among other things, the Alu are known for their homebrewed whiskey. During special occasions and festivals it is common to see the entire Alu community, including small children, completely drunk. Alcoholism has a strong hold on the Alu and contributes to a short life expectancy among them.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Alu are animists and polytheists and, as a result, feel the need to appease many gods and ward off many forms of evil. On the first day of the year they sacrifice two chickens at every path of entrance into a village. They pray to a dragon spirit, asking it to not allow demons to enter the village in the coming year. The Alu are a totally unreached people group.

What Are Their Needs?

The JESUS Film is still not available to this people group that needs to hear about the ways of Jesus in their own language.

Prayer Points

Pray for the JESUS Film to soon be dubbed into the language of the Alu people, and distributed to them wherever they live.
Pray for the Alu people to have open hearts to the Risen Savior.
Pray for a disciple making movement to spread to all Alu communities in Vietnam, China, Laos, and Myanmar.