Phula in Vietnam

Phula
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Phula
Country: Vietnam
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 13,000
World Population: 20,200
Primary Language: Phula
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 1.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.06 %
Scripture: Translation Needed
Ministry Resources: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Miao / Hmong
Affinity Bloc: Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Phula live in Vietnam and in China. They speak a Tibeto Burmese language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In Vietnam the Phula hunt and weave cloth. They also do basket work. The Phula like folk literature and dancing. They like to play the trumpet and the drums.
They eat rice in their main meals, usually twice a day. Some live in stilt houses and some in houses on the ground. Neighbors help each other when it is time for the harvest.
The Phula are allowed to have pre-marital relations. They have engagement and wedding ceremonies and marriage customs. Women give birth while seated and sleep on a straw mat. The Phula have name giving ceremonies and rituals for funerals.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Phula pray to male ancestors for good health and to female ancestors for abundant crop yields. Those people who specialize in rituals play an important part with the Phula in their lives. The Han language is used also by some of the Phula groups.

What Are Their Needs?

The Phula people need the chance to embrace Jesus Christ and enjoy the abundant life only he can provide.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless them physically and spiritually as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that Vietnamese and Chinese Christians will give the Phula the gospel message leading them to disciple others in both countries.
Pray for the Phula to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find Jesus Christ no matter what pressure they get from their families and government.

Text Source:   Joshua Project