Sila of Laos

Sila of Laos The Sila inhabit the hilly, tropical forests just north of Muong Hai in north central Laos. Like other Tibeto-Burman peoples, the Sila migrated from southern China. The hill peoples such as the Sila are hunters and gatherers of forest products, as well as farmers. The Sila practice an ethnic religion which is a blend of animism and ancestor worship. Animism includes the belief that forces and aspects of nature (wind, rivers, trees, earth) are attached to spirits or supernatural beings. Ancestor worship involves praying to the spirits of deceased ancestors for protection, guidance, or blessings. They believe that ancestral spirits are alive and must be fed and cared for. Ministry Obstacles No scripture or other resources are available in the Sila language. Outreach Ideas Workers who know how to communicate the Gospel in oral form are needed for this small people group. Pray for the followers of Christ Even though there are presently no known followers of Jesus among the Sila people, pray for those the Lord will call to himself. Pray they will be sent teachers to help them become established in the faith. Pray for the entire people group Pray for a rising literacy rate for the Sila tribe, and for the many adjustments that need to be made to live in the 21st century, a time of rapid change. Scripture Focus "For behold, darkness will cover the earth, And deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you, And His glory will appear upon you. And nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising." Isaiah 60:2-3		People Name: Sila Country: Laos 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 2,700 World Population: 3,500 Language: Sila Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions Bible: Questionable Need Online Audio NT: No Jesus Film: No Audio Recordings: No Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: 1.1