Hani - Un-Reached People Group Of Laos

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Population : 30,000
Location : Phognsali : Sikao, Khuchu Lin & Si Ben Chat Villages in Gnot-Ou districts
Other names : Hayi, Ha Nhi, Ha Nhi Gia, U Ni, Xa Uni, Haw, Houni, Woni
Language : Sino-Tibetan, Tibetu-Burman, Burmese-Lolo, Lolo, Southern, Akha, Hani, Ha-ya
Religion : Animism
% Christians in this country : None known
Scripture : Work in Progress
Jesus film : none
Christian Radio Broadcast : FEBC
Gospel audio recording : Available
The Christmas Story : none
Mission Agency / church planting working among them : 0

The Akha in Laos are concentrated in the higher areas of the high plateau of Phongsaly (close to the Black River and Vietnam) and Luang Namtha Province (bordering Sipsongpanna, Burma, and the Mekong River) interspersed with Mien, Hmong, Khmu, Htin, Lisu, and Lahu. Lowlanders are a range of Tai-minority peoples, varying according to different valley and basin locations, and include: Tai Lue (Dai), Tai Dam (Black Tai), Tai Yuang or Yang, Tai Neua, Tai Khao (White Tai) and Tai Doi (Mountain Tai) (Chazee, 1995: 33 ff.). Some were displaced during the Vietnam war, in which they were involved in fighting the Americans or the CIA Hmong groups led by Vang Pao, and in conflicts between the Pathet Lao groups (Dassé¬ 1976; Cooper and Tapp, 1991). People calling themselves Akha in Laos are called, in Lao, I-ko or Kha Ko. Other names given by outsiders include: Puli, Pussang, Oepa, Oema, and Kopien. Most Tai-speaking lowland groups are called Bitsm by Akha. The number of Akha in Laos can be estimated conservatively to be between 92,000-100,000, but might well be higher (Lao UNESCO Committee, 1996; Duy Thieu, 1996).

The Akha/Hani people were formerly slash and burn cultivators who grew their crops on the mountain sides where they lived. They raised cash crops of cotton and opium poppies. Today, the Akha/Hani are still primarily agriculturally based; however, they are no longer as transient. The typical crop in today's Akha/Hani village may be chilies, soybean, cabbage, or tomatoes. Pigs, chickens, ducks, goats, and cattle are also raised. Most Akha/Hani people live in bamboo grass huts. Easy to build, and easily worn out, the grass-roof is replaced almost every year. Rice is the staple food. It is often eaten with salt and chilly paste. Each evening, the village women measure out their rice for the next day and then leave it to soak in water overnight. This one pot of rice is steamed in the morning and then made to last through the day. Most Akha/Hani people live below the poverty line.

Akha/Hani religion is a combination of animism and ancestor worship. Their worldview is completely colored by their animistic beliefs, thus even the cultivation of rice is bound up with myths and rituals and must be done in the "Akha/Hani way." They also have an understanding of a great world-creating divinity. All sicknesses are under the control of this spirit; therefore, sacrifices must be made continually in an attempt to gain its favor. Veneration of the ancestors is important because it is believed that the ancestors can bestow blessings on those still living. The ancestral altar kept in each home is well maintained. Nine times a year, on special occasions such as New Year and the beginning of the rice harvest, sacrifices are offered to the ancestors and to the demons whose paraphernalia also clutters the ancestor altar.

PRAYER POINTS

Pray against the barriers of suspicion and animism that have hindered the advance of the Gospel to the Hani.
Pray that God woould encourage, equip and use them to reach the thousands of unreached Hani all throughout SEA.
Ask God to help workers who are presently translating the Scriptures & the Jesus film into Hani.
Pray for God's anointing and blessing for the available Gospel audio materials and radio broadcast in Hani language.
Pray that God would send laborers, missionaries and churchplanters among the Hani people.