Hanna in Laos

Introduction / History

The Hanna people are a very small indigenous subgroup of the broader Katu ethnic people, living in southern Laos—specifically in just a couple of remote villages in Dak Cheung district of Sekong Province. They belong to the Mon-Khmer (Austroasiatic) language family and share the traditional highland lifestyle of the Katu. They speak Western Katu, a Katuic language, which belongs to the larger Mon-Khmer family. The Hanna (locally considered a Katu subgroup) share many cultural features with the broader Katu people and have historically lived in forest and mountain areas with minimal outside influence.

Laos' upland ethnic peoples like the Katu migrated and settled these highland regions centuries ago. Their history is shaped by subsistence agriculture, forest life, and inter-tribal relationships with neighboring groups such as the Alak, Ngae, Ta Oi, and Talieng. Because of their isolation, the Hanna have retained many traditional customs and beliefs.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Hanna live in tightly knit, often isolated villages accessible only by foot or difficult trails. Their homes are longhouses or rectangular wooden structures, typically shared by extended families (2–8 families per house). Villages sometimes include other ethnic groups. Families practice slash-and-burn farming (primarily rice, vegetables, and root crops) and supplement their livelihoods with hunting, fishing, and animal husbandry. Buffalo, pigs, and chickens are integral — both for daily sustenance and ritual purposes. Women are skilled weavers, using backstrap looms to create cotton textiles decorated with beads, which serve both practical and cultural purposes. Social traditions remain strong. Weddings require large dowries (often livestock), and marriage customs may include the groom working for his wife's family if he cannot meet requirements.

Like many nearby groups such as the Dak Kang or Talieng, they've historically lived in remote mountainous areas, maintaining relative isolation from lowland influences through colonial and modern times. Today, development projects and resettlement efforts have brought changes, but their distinct identity persists.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Hanna practice animism and spirit-centered religion. They believe that spirits inhabit rivers, forests, rice, ancestors, and the elements. Sacred beings called Yung and Brao influence their fortunes. People must honor helpful spirits and appease powerful or dangerous ones to ensure protection, health, and success. A female Sky Creator Spirit also features in their cosmology alongside many nature spirits. Villagers see harmony with the spirit world as essential to a peaceful life. Shamans (spirit priests) play an active role in community life, performing sacrifices and rituals in exchange for offerings such as chickens or silver. Annual ceremonies—most notably the buffalo sacrifice—honor spirits and ask for blessings on the community. These events serve both spiritual and social functions.

What Are Their Needs?

The Hanna have very few known Christian believers in Laos. Christianity among them remains extremely limited, and existing New Testament resources are not fully distributed or contextualized for their communities. They remain deeply rooted in spirit fear and traditional religion, which shapes much of their worldview and decision-making. Other practical needs include access to education and literacy support, especially in their own language as well as healthcare and infrastructure development due to isolation and poverty. They need economic opportunities that respect traditional livelihoods while providing sustainability. Many Hanna communities lack access to basic services because of their remote locations.

Prayer Points

Pray for Spirit-filled workers prayerfully sent to live among the Hanna, building relationships and learning their culture.
Pray for Hanna elders and leaders to seek truth and find it in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the emergence of local Christian believers who can share Christ within Hanna networks and families.
Pray that Bible portions, the JESUS Film, and discipleship materials would be translated, produced, widely distributed, and trusted by the Hanna people.
Ask God to open spiritual eyes and hearts receptive to his word, igniting a movement for Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project