The Kantu people group which belongs to the East Katuic language group lives in southern Laos near the border of Vietnam. These groups include the Ir, the Kantu, the Katang, the Lor, the Pacoh, and the Upper Taoih. Although they speak distinct dialects, they all belong to the East Katu branch of the Mon Khmer language family. Of these minority peoples, the Kantu are most closely related to the Katu. In fact, they are even referred to as the "High Katu," or "those who live in the hills."

For thirty years, recurring warfare in this region has disrupted the traditional way of life for the East Katuic-speaking tribes. Today, half of the land in Laos is peppered by cluster bomblets that were dropped by U.S. warplanes during the Vietnam War, and by landmines. Both are still a serious problem. Deaths and injuries most commonly occur when villagers are working in their fields or gardens and even children while playing in the fields as their parents worked. The villagers are largely self sufficient. They grow their own rice; have their own vegetable gardens; gather fruit from the forests; and fish in the nearby ponds, rivers, or even in the rice fields! Surplus rice and produce can be exchanged in the market for salt and other necessary items. The Kantu have a reputation as o­ne of the most isolated and inward-looking groups in Laos. They are o­ne of the few tribes in southern Laos adept at the art of weaving. After a long day in the field, the Kantu love to come together and relax with singing and dancing. Traditional songs, called oat, express the joys and sorrows of the Kantu. They sing of the struggles their forefathers endured and the oppression and hostility they have faced from other ethnic groups who desired to take them as slaves. When a young man desires to be married, a go-between is arranged to approach the family of the young woman who has caught his attention. Kantu society is strongly matriarchal. Women rule the community and no decision is made without their consideration.

Animism reigns among the Kantu. They are deeply bound by fear to the spirit world. Sprit-houses are constructed o­n the outskirts of every village. The Kantu pray to numerous gods, ghosts and deities for the protection and blessing of their communities, harvests and animals. Many ceremonies are held where animals are sacrificed. It is reported the Kantu were still involved in human sacrifices until recently.

The Kantu are shut off from the Gospel. The few efforts that have been made to reach them in either Vietnam or Laos (mostly by Bru Christians) have invariably met with violent opposition. The villagers daily need God's protection over them as they work in the fields laden with bomblets. They also need more education teams that can teach them how to clear the mines. Many of the children play in the fields while their parents work and eventually get injured by the explosions. Medical help, especially with prosthesis and physical therapy, are desperately needed. Perhaps these needs will provide opportunities for Christian medical missionaries to gain access to these people.

PRAYER POINTS

? Pray against the demons who have held the Kantu captive for countless generations.

? Ask God to break down the Kantu's wall of resistance against the Gospel.

? Pray that many Kantu would come out of darkness and into Christ's wonderful light.

? Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Kantu peoples bound.

? Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into Laos to live and work among these tribes.

? Ask God to raise up prayer teams to break up the soil through intercession.

? Pray that God will reveal Himself to these precious people through dreams and visions.

? Ask the Lord to call forth medical missionaries to work among these tribes and share the love of Christ with them.

? Pray that God will raise up qualified linguists to translate the Bible into the Kantu languages.

? Pray that God will open the hearts of Laos' governmental leaders to the Gospel.

? Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Kantu.