More than 4,000 members of the Lanten ethnic group inhabit eight villages in the Gnot-Ou District of Phongsali Province, in northern Laos.
The Lanten are closely related to the Kim Mun of Luang Namtha, Oudomxai and Bokeo provinces, but today the two groups have a different name, wear different styles of dress, and speak different dialects. The two groups probably differ because they entered Laos from different locations in China, at different times. Their present cultural and ethno-linguistic differences stem from centuries of separation. The name Lanten is a Chinese term meaning 'those who make dye'. This group in Laos now use the name for themselves.
For centuries the Lanten in China were oppressed by greedy landlords. They migrated in large numbers south and west in search of their own land. "Legend has it that the forefathers of these two branches of Yao [Lanten and Iu Mien] were brothers who separated during migration, thus forming two groups.
The Lanten are famous for many ingenious customs and inventions, including the tradition of making paper from roots and leaves. Until recently, a young Lanten man taking a wife had to pay a price. "Betrothal was actually a negotiation of the bride price, which was divided into five different grades, depending on such natural qualities as the girl's beauty and health. The girl's parents would not let the man take their daughter away until the price had been paid in full. The five different grades ranged from 72 to 12 ounces of silver." During courtship, Lanten youth sing romantic songs to each other... "If a girl falls in love with a boy, she bites his arm as a token of her love for him." The Lanten believe when a bad person dies they will go to a place they perceive as hellóa thick, dark forest with no villages or clearings. It is believed good people will go to one of several levels of heaven, depending on how much care the eldest son gives the spirit of his dead parent. Men without sons, therefore, do whatever it takes to procure a son, since their soul will be lost without one. The Lanten worship their ancestors by sacrificing pigs three times each year.
There are no known Christians among the Lanten of northern Laos.
Pray for the Lanten
Pray the Lanten would soon hear of God's Son, who gave His Life that they would known Him.
Ask God to raise up many churches among the Lanten, for His glory.
Pray the Lanten's deep fear of hell and eternity would cause many to find Jesus Christ.