|
Halang |
| People Group: |
Halang |
 |
 |
| Location: |
Laos, (Attapu
and Xekong provinces) |
| Population: |
5,400 |
| Religion: |
Animism |
| % Christian: |
0.50% |
| % Evangelical: |
Unknown |
| Ministry
Resources: |
Portions of the
Bible, Gospel Recordings |
|
|
Total People Group
Population: |
20,000 |
Other countries People
Group Linked to: |
None |
____________________________________________________________ |
|
Additional Information:
According to a 1973 source, between
2,000 to 4,000 speakers of the Halang language live in southern Laos.
They primarily inhabit the Sanxai District of Attapu Province, near the
Vietnam border. A smaller number spill across into the Dakchung District
of Xekong Province.
In addition, more than 10,000 Halang live in Vietnam, where they are
part of the official Sedang ethnic group. In Laos, the Halang are often
referred to as Kayong or Salang. The Halang also speak a different
language from the Halang Doan and the Kri, who are sometimes called
Halang Kri. The Halang language is part of the North Bahnaric branch of
the Mon-Khmer family.
 For
centuries the Halang have been "slash-and-burn" agriculturists. To break
up the soil, the Halang did not use tools or instruments, but simply let
humans and water buffaloes trample it. After the soil was broken up, the
dirt was softened by water and planting commenced.
The Halang, and their close relatives the Sedang, claim to have
originated in a place far north of their present location, perhaps in
China.
The names of Halang people are deter-mined by the sex of the child. All
girls are given the prefix Y (e.g. Y-Hong), while all boy's names start
with A.
Marriage is simple among the Halang. After the wedding the couple lives
alternately with the wife's family and then the husband's family for
equal lengths of time. Only when the couple have produced several
children do they move into their own home.
Although there are no known Christians among the Halang on the Lao side
of the border, missionaries were active among the Halang in Vietnam
prior to their expulsion in 1975.
The missionaries translated the books of Genesis, Mark, John, Acts and
Romans into Halang in 1970, produced a Halang Gospel recording, and have
helped evangelize the Halang by producing and funding short-wave Gospel
radio broad-casts in the Halang language. These broadcasts are aired by
the Far East Broadcasting Company for 15 minutes every week.
Prayer Requests:
* Pray the Halang believers in Vietnam would seek to reach their
unreached relatives in Laos.
* Ask God to raise up laborers to plant churches among the Halang.
* Pray the Halang in Laos would learn to read the script used to
translate Halang Scripture in Vietnam.
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