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There are about 6,400 Giay living in Laos along the
border with Vietnam. The Giay immigrated as recently as 200
years ago from China where there are more than 300,000 Giay.
In Vietnam there are about 56,000 people in the Giay group.
The Giay are also known as the Nhang people. They probably came to
Laos and Vietnam to escape war and hard times in China.
In Laos, the Giay villages are scattered out in areas
where other cultures live. Most Giay are farmers or raise
cattle. Giay society puts men totally in control of the
family. Usually each family has land where they raise most of
what they consume themselves. Life is simple and would seem
primitive to city dwellers.
The Giay practice ancestor worship and animism.
Spirit appeasement is an important part of Giay activity. Each
Giay village has a part of the forest or jungle that is set apart
from the rest and where the largest tree is considered sacred.
The main spirit of the village is thought to occupy the highest
parts of the tree. Semi-annual festivals are held to worship
the village spirit at the tree to ensure protection.
Few Giay have ever heard of Jesus Christ. No
one is known to be reaching out to them with the good news.
Pray for the Lord to raise up a church planting team that will do
whatever it takes to get to them, learn their language and ways, and
share Jesus Christ with them. Pray for students who go to
cities for education to find Christ and bring Him back to the
villages. Pray for Christians to come into contact with Giay
fathers and husbands who will bring their families to the Lord.
Population: 6,400 ---
Religion: Animism, Ancestor Worship --- Language: Bouyei
Christians: Few, if any --- Missions: None Known ---
Resources: None
Other Giay People: Vietnam,
China
Resources:
Joshua Project
Wikipedia |
