Nguan of Laos

Nguan of Laos The Nguan live in stilted houses. Craftsmen carve images into the stilts. Their villages are arranged with the houses in a circular pattern, facing towards a communal house in the middle. The Nguan divide into two main clans, which are named after two different kinds of birds: Sim Takok and Sim Ome. To the clan members, these birds are sacred and must never be killed. The Nguan are animists. They sacrifice chickens to appease the spirit of the forest, kill pigs to placate the spirit of the village, and cows or buffaloes to the spirit of the house. Shamans are still active among the Nguan. Their main job is to preside over the annual rice festival, when a pig is sacrificed. Ministry Obstacles Laos does not offer a welcome to Christian workers. Creative means of access is helpful. Outreach Ideas Perhaps workers will be sent to the nominal Christians in this tribe, to disciple them such that they will grow in numbers and maturity. They have the potential of reaching their own people with the Gospel. Pray for the followers of Christ There are several Nguan who would identify themselves as Christians, but they may have only a superficial understanding of what knowing and following Christ means. Pray the Lord's Spirit will give them understanding. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Nguan tribe will be set free from worshipping created things, and will come to understand there is a way they can know the Creator God. Jesus is that Way. Scripture Focus "For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations ... says the Lord of hosts." Malachi 1:11		People Name: Nguan Country: Laos 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 34,000 World Population: 34,000 Language: Khmu Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions Bible: Portions Online Audio NT: No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: 1.2