The So Tri language is very closely related to So and Bru, so close, in fact, that many linguistic lists do not mention this group.
From an ethnological point of view, however, the So Tri possess a distinct self-identity and ethnicity from the So and the Bru. The fact that the Lao government listed the So Tri separately in the census is significant, as the authorities only acknowledge approximately 60 minority groups throughout the entire nation.
The So Tri live in the south-central part of Khammouan Province in central Laos. They are geographically in the center of the So and Bru people. There seems little doubt that all three groups were once part of the same tribe. Over the centuries, as they split and migrated to different locations, each group developed its own identity, customs and dialect.
Only about one-quarter of So Tri are literate. Most people have never attended school, even at primary level.
Most So Tri are rice farmers. They have borrowed their agricultural techniques from the Lao. Others, living in the mountains, continue to be "slash and burn" communities. They clear land in the forests by burning it off and clearing boulders and trees and live there for several years. When the nutrients in the soil have been used up, they abandon their village and move to another location, where the same process is repeated again. This custom leaves the ground barren and provides poor harvests.
The So Tri do not wear any traditional clothing anymore. In the past So Tri women wore colorful scarves and distinctive dresses, but today they wear the same clothing as the Lao. Other customs such as their long-houses, festivals and religious ceremonies are also in the process of being lost.
Most So Tri are animists, but Theravada Buddhism is growing in prominence because of influence from the Lao and Phutai.
We know very little about the state of Christianity among this group. There may be a few believers, but the majority of So Tri are unevangelized and have no contact with Christians.
The So Tri people need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.
Pray a strong church planting movement would soon emerge in their midst.
Pray for Holy Spirit-anointed believers to come into contact with the So Tri.
Ask God to give the So Tri people an abundant harvest this year as a testimony of his goodness and power.
Scripture Prayers for the So Tri in Laos.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | So Tri |
People Name in Country | So Tri |
Alternate Names | So Trii; Tri |
Population this Country | 12,000 |
Population all Countries | 12,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 14967 |
ROP3 Code | 109366 |
ROP25 Code | 307600 |
ROP25 Name | So Tri |
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 | Khammouan province, Xaibouathong district 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 | Khammouan province, Xaibouathong district. Source: Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.05 %) |
0.10 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
99.90 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Bru, Eastern (12,000 speakers) |
Language Code | bru Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Tri |
Dialect Code | 8378 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Bru, Eastern (12,000 speakers) |
Language Code | bru Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Tri |
Dialect Code | 8378 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Bru, Eastern |
Primary Language: Bru, Eastern
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1968) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1981-2009) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2014) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | 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 |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Bru, Eastern | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Bru, Eastern | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Bru, Eastern | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | Joshua Project / Global Mapping International |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |