The Oy say they originated in China and have lived in their present location for 150 years. Some of the Oy live in 21 villages on the fertile Boloven Plateau region of southern Laos and others live at the foot of the plateau. Many of the Mon Khmer groups in the south are grouped together so that the Oy live intermingled with Brau and Ngae peoples.
Their principle crop is rice.
In some ways the Oy are adopting the culture of their neighbors they still cling to ancestor worship rather than accepting Buddhism. Except for the more isolated communities, they do not practice animistic ceremonies except in times of crisis. Then the rituals resume.
The Overseas Christian Fellowship were the first mission to minister to the Oy. Part of their work was a leprosy clinic for 700 lepers in the area. The first believer was a shaman. After converting to Christ, he was murdered by his own people. They gouged out his eyes and dumped his body in the forest.
There are more than 200 believers today meeting in several churches. The Laos government has persecuted the believers greatly including imprisonment for their pastors.
The Oy people need more family heads who will take their families from the darkness into the light of Christ.
Pray for Oy leaders to experience and embrace the glory and power of Jesus Christ.
Pray for loving and determined workers.
Pray for the Lord to make a way for the gospel to penetrate Oy families and villages.
Scripture Prayers for the Oy in Laos.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Oy |
People Name in Country | Oy |
Alternate Names | Huei; Inn Tea; Inthi; Oi; Riyao |
Population this Country | 26,000 |
Population all Countries | 26,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 4 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 14238 |
ROP3 Code | 107716 |
ROP25 Code | 306387 |
ROP25 Name | Oy |
Country | Laos | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 21 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Attapu and Champasak provinces. 21 villages. Samakkhixai, Sanamxai, and Pakxong districts. Source: Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999 |
Country | Laos |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 21 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Attapu and Champasak provinces. 21 villages. Samakkhixai, Sanamxai, and Pakxong districts.. Source: Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999 |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
60.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.80 %) |
1.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
39.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Oy (26,000 speakers) |
Language Code | oyb Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Oy (26,000 speakers) |
Language Code | oyb Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Oy |
Primary Language: Oy
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
General | Language Learning Phrasebook | They Need the Bible |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2024 Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |