Approximately 18,000 Brau people inhabit 40 villages in southern Laos. The majority of Brau live in Attapu Province near the Cambodian border, while others are found in Champasak and Xekong provinces. An additional 14,000 Brau live in Cambodia and 231 live in Vietnam, where they are one of that country's official minority groups. Because of the Vietnam War, a number of Brau families were allowed to migrate to Western nations as refugees. About 100 were resettled in the United States (including Providence, R.I.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Dallas, TX; Massachusetts, and Washington D.C.). A few Brau also live in France and Thailand.
The Brau people in Laos are often confused with the Laven people who live further west, and also with the small Lawi tribe. The Brau are perhaps better known in Laos as the Laveh, but we have called them Brau to avoid confusion with these other similarly-named groups.
The Brau live in a matriarchal society. Many Brau wear large ivory or bamboo tubes through their stretched earlobes. Both men and women have tattoos. In the past the Brau lived in long-houses, with up to six families under the same roof. This custom has largely ended today except in very remote places. Many Brau remain slash-and-burn agriculturists. They move their communities every 5-10 years when they have exhausted the land.
During festivals and ceremonies, the Brau of all ages get completely drunk. They have traditional ancient brass gongs, spears and shields which they use for special occasions, especially during the annual buffalo-sacrifice ceremony.
Most Brau are animists. They have healing ceremonies where the people embrace a sickness called Phakoket. They then sacrifice a chicken and a pig in order to get well. If that does not work they sacrifice a buffalo. If an epidemic continues, the village is comp-letely abandoned.
There is only one church among the Brau people in Laos today. In recent years, however, hundreds of Brau in northern Cambodia have come to Christ, in addition to 40 Brau in Vietnam. It is hoped that these new believers can influence the Brau in Laos.
Pray for the Brau
Pray that the people movement that has recently begun among the Brau in Cambodia would spill into Laos.
Ask God to send evangelists and church planters to the animistic Brau.
Pray against the demonic powers that have kept the Brau enslaved to fear and bondage for generations.