Nguan in Laos

The Nguan have only been reported in Laos
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

More than 26,000 people in the Nguan ethnic group were listed in the 1995 Lao census. Ethnographer Laurent Chazee, earlier in that same year, estimated a lower population of 12,000 Nguan people. There is some confusion surrounding the existence of the Nguan. Despite the fact they are a relatively large group, and are very ethnically distinct and isolated, the Nguan do not appear in the authoritative Ethnologue, and have therefore also not appeared on Christian mission lists. This is probably due to the fact that until recently, the Lao government counted the Nguan as part of the Khmu, and did not recognize them as a distinct tribe. In the 1985 census, however, the Nguan were treated separately. There is no doubt that ethno-linguistically the Nguan qualify as a distinct group.

The majority of Nguan live in the districts of Nale, Viangphoukha and Luang Namtha in Luang Namtha Province, where their villages are near the Khuen, Lamet and Khmu Rok. In 1975 a number of Nguan families migrated to Houayxay District in Bokeo Province, where today they inhabit several communities. The Nguan live in stilted houses. Craftsmen carve images into the stilts. Nguan roofs are made of wooden tiles, and are not simply thatch as is the case with most tribal groups in Laos. Their villages are arranged with the houses in a circular pattern, facing towards a communal house in the middle.

The Nguan language is a distinct member of the Mon-Khmer family. It is partially related to Khmu and Samtao. The Nguan can understand only a little of the Lamet language.

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.

There are at least two churches among the Nguan, containing more than 200 believers. Most this group, however, have yet to hear the Gospel.


Prayer Points

Pray that they will choose to follow Christ rather than to sacrifice and worship evil spirits.
Ask God to empower the Nguan Christians to witness for His glory.
Pray for an outpouring of the conviction and grace of God to come upon Nguan people everywhere.


Scripture Prayers for the Nguan in Laos.


Profile Source:   Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Nguan
People Name in Country Nguan
Alternate Names Nhuane; Yoan; Youane
Population this Country 21,000
Population all Countries 21,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 13369
ROP3 Code 107284
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Luang Namtha province, Nale, Viangphoukha, and Luang Namtha districts   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Luang Namtha province, Nale, Viangphoukha, and Luang Namtha districts.   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.85 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
99.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Khmu (21,000 speakers)
Language Code kjg   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Khmu (21,000 speakers)
Language Code kjg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Khmu

Primary Language:  Khmu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1918-2016)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Bible-NT Audio Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Khmu Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.