Khmu Lu

     French ethnographer Laurent Chazee listed a 1995 population of 20,000 Khmu Lu people in Laos. They are concentrated in the western part of Udomxai Province (Xay and Namo districts), and the adjoining eastern part of Luang Namtha Province (Nale District). A small Diaspora community of Khmu Lu live in the Houayxay District of Bokeo Province.

     The Khmu Lu prefer to live in forests at the base of montains. Their homes are constructed near a river or stream so that they can easily access water. Most of their villages are situated 400-800 meters (1,310-2,620 feet) above sealevel.

     The language of the Khmu Lu is part of the Mon-Khmer family. Although the Khmu Lu have different dress, customs and traditions from the Khmu Ou, people from the two groups speak the same language and can communicate without sifficulty. THe Khmu Lu, however, cannot understand the Khmu Keun, Rok or Me languages.

     Animism is the predominant religion among the Khmu Lu. Among a host of differnet spirits they worship are the spirits of the house, forest, parents, fire and water. Healing ceremonies are held during times of hardship or sickness. Chickens and pigs are sacrificed to placate any angry spirits that may be causing the distress.

     The Khmu do not like the spirits, but worship them out of fear. One missionary wrote, "We found that the report had gone throughout all the Kamu country... that some of the Kamu in the region of M. Sai had cast off spirits and accepted Christ, and yet the spirits had not bitten them. Instead of engendering opposition, in the majority of palaces we visited we found that this report had begotten hope and a desire for the same freedom from the yoke of the spirits. Many heathen Kamu told us that in their opinion the spirits do not benefit them... whole vilages tod us that if we will come next year early enough in the season to teach them any length of time, they will enter Christianity en masse." Most Khmu Lu are still waiting to be set free.

Pray for the Khmu Lu