|
Singmoon |
| People Group: |
Singmoon |
 |
 |
| Location: |
Laos |
| Population: |
7,400 |
| Religion: |
Animism |
| % Christian: |
Unknown |
| % Evangelical: |
0.0% |
| Ministry
Resources: |
None |
|
|
Total People Group
Population: |
7,400 |
Other countries People
Group Linked to: |
None |
____________________________________________________________ |
|
Additional Information:
The 1995 Lao census listed 5,834
ethnic Singmoon people live in two different areas in central Laos.
About half live within the Thathom District of the Xaisamboun Special
Region, while the remainder inhabit part of the Borikhan District of
Borikhamxai Province.
There is some confusion surrounding the population and identity of the
Singmoon. Laurent
Chazee, in his 1995 book, listed "less than 1,000" Singmoon people in
Laos. It is possible the population for the Puoc, who are called Xin Mun
or Sing Mun in Vietnam, may have been included in this figure. The
Singmoon live a long way from the Puoc in Laos however, and are almost
certainly distinct people groups. For now, until further research can be
conducted to determine their true population, we have used the 1995
census figure for the Singmoon.
The Xaisamboun Special Region was carved out of Vientiane Province only
recently. It is considered the most dangerous place in Laos for
foreigners to travel. Rebels living in the mountains have launched armed
attacks on buses. In 1994, four UN Drug Control Program workers were
murdered by bandits.
If the Singmoon near the Thai border prove to be related to the Puoc on
the Vietnam border, their geographic separation today could almost
certainly be traced to the slavery trade which operated in Laos until a
few decades ago. Families and sometimes whole communities were
transplanted from one location to another. In the early 1900's, a
missionary commented on the trade of human souls.... "According to the
wealth and power of a chau is the number of slaves he owns; this number
may vary from a dozen to even a thousand or more. These may be
slave-born, or purchased, or war captives.... Many of the peasants
become slaves from debt. They borrow money to pay their government
taxes, and then almost inevitably fail to meet their debt, and so become
the property of the chau. There is no real excuse for this, as taxes are
low. Slaves can purchase their freedom, but so little money is in
circulation that it is a very difficult thing to do."
Living in a harsh and violent area, the Singmoon remain spiritual
captives, with little knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Prayer Requests:
* Pray brave and faith-filled workers would heed the Master's call to
take the Gospel to all peoples.
* Ask God to help researchers discover more information on the Singmoon.
* Pray believers in northern Laos would be called by God to take the
Gospel to the unreached Singmoon.
Back to People
Group Listing
|
