|
Tay Pong |
|
People Group: |
Tay Pong |
 |
 |
| Location: |
Laos |
| Population: |
27,000 |
| Religion: |
Animism |
| % Christian: |
2.0% |
| % Evangelical: |
Unknown |
| Ministry
Resources: |
Some Believers, No
Church |
|
|
Total People Group
Population: |
27,000 |
Other countries People
Group Linked to: |
None |
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Additional Information:
The 1995 Lao census listed a
popu-lation of 21,395 Pong people in Laos, up from a 1985 figure of
18,165.
The Pong are mostly concentrated in Houaphan Province, especially in the
Xam-Tai, Houamuang, Viangxai and Xam Neua districts. Others spill across
into the Kham District of Xiangkhoang Province. In addition, there are
small numbers of Diaspora Pong living in the Hinboun District of
Khammouan Province and the Viangthong District of Borikhamxai.
 About
3,000 Pong are located across the border in Vietnam, where they are
officially included as part of the Tho ethnic group. It is important to
note the Pong are not the same as the Pong, Kniang or Hung groups in
Laos. The Hung are also sometimes called Pong.
The Pong speak a language belonging to the Viet-Muong branch of the
Mon-Khmer family. Ethnographer Laurent Chazee placed the Pong in the
"Other groups" section of his book. He notes, "Among the 'other' ethnic
groups in Laos, only the Pong are represented by more than 20 villages.
The other ethnic groups are very localized and represented by less than
1,000 individuals."
The Pong were once part of a larger Viet-Muong speaking group. Accord-ing
to one source, "Around the end of the 17th century, driven out by
upheaval, the Viet in low-lying districts...and some Viet and Muong
groups from mountaindistricts... intermarried with members of the Cuoi
group who lived there to form a new community after a long period of
evolution... This community is still quite heterogeneous, with many
small groups [including the Pong]."
Pong youth are allowed considerable freedom to choose their partner.
Pong boys sometimes spend whole nights lying next to a girl he is
attracted to. This is called ngu mai, which literally means 'women
sleeping'. The boy is not allowed to have sexual relations with, or even
touch the girl. For centuries this has been an event to test the young
man's self-control. If he cannot control his lusts and touches the girl,
his reputation will be destroyed and the couple will not marry.
There is not a single known Christian or church among the Pong people in
Laos.
Prayer Requests:
* The Pong have waited centuries to hear news of the Savior. Pray their
long wait will soon come to an end.
* Ask God to make the Name of Christ famous among the Pong people.
* Pray for an outpouring of God's saving grace to flow upon the precious
Pong people in Laos and Vietnam.
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