Introduction / History

Yoy is a member of the Northern Tai language family. All Yoy are adequately bilingual in the national language, Lao. Indeed, to most outsiders there is no visible or cultural differences between the Lao and Yoy. The distinctiveness of the Yoy is confined to their language.

Tai Yoy people live in Khammouan Province in central Laos. They live at the juncture of three districts: Nakay, Grommarol and Bouarapha. A slightly larger number live in Thailand.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The lifestyle of the Yoy people is similar to the peoples around them. Most are farmers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Yoy in Thailand are professing Buddhists, although a close inspection of their religious practices reveals a regular dependence on spirit-appeasement and animism.

What Are Their Needs?

The Yoy have lived for centuries with little knowledge of the abundant life they can receive only through Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Ask God to send his children to show the Yoy people the way to the cross and teach them to disciple others.

Pray the Holy Spirit would prepare the hearts of the Yoy to humbly accept Jesus Christ.

Pray for the Lord to send dreams and visions to Yoy elders, preparing them to open their communities to Jesus Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Yoy in Thailand.

References

Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission