Ironically, the smallest ethnic group in Laos happens to be one of the most interesting. Twenty-two Mlabri people, in four families, live in the Phiang District of Xaignabouri Province. Their numbers are actually down from 24 in 1985. Epidemics and a decrease of their resources has almost wiped them out. Approximately 300 Mlabri live across the border in Nan and Phrae provinces of Thailand.

Mlabri or Mabri is the self-name of this group. The Lao and Thai call them Kha Tong Luang, which means 'slaves of the Yellow Banana Leaves'. This name is given to them because of their custom of living in temporary ground-level shelters made of a wooden frame and covered with banana leaves. When the leaves wither and turn yellow the Mlabri abandon their homes and move to a different area to hunt for food. This cycle usually repeats itself every 5-15 days.

There is another group of about 300 people called Kha Tong Luang in Laos, who practice the same customs. They live in remote mountains on the Laos-Vietnam border. The Mlabri and this later group are not linguistically related, and are separated by a considerable distance. To complicate matters, the Pakatan in Laos are also labeled Kha Tong Luang by the Lao.

Mlabri men wear little clothing, except a small loin-cloth. "They are animists who believe they are not entitled to cultivate the land for themselves. Their matrilineal social organization allows serial monogamy; a Mlabri woman typically changes mates every five or six years, taking any children from the previous union with her."120

After death, the corpse of a Mlabri is placed in the treetops to be devoured by birds. The Mlabri religion is one of primitive polytheism. They believe evil spirits inhabit trees, and fear rainbows, which they believe are monsters who devour human flesh.

There has never been a known Christian among the Mlabri in either Laos or Thailand. Eugene and Mary Long, missionaries with New Tribes Mission, have worked selflessly among the Mlabri for more than 20 years in Thailand. Even though they are deeply loved by the Mlabri, none have yet made a decision to follow Christ.121

Additional Information

1. Gospel Recording in Mlabri here: mlabri resources page If you are aware of other recordings, literature, or anything else for the Mlabri people, please let us make it available online.
2. Getting there - If you make a trip to the Mlabri people, share your experience and advice here: mlabri travel page
3. Information - Do you know something more about the brliefs of the Mlabri? Do you have a story to tell? Do you have a picture? Please share it here.
4. Does anyone know of a Mlabri believer inside or outside of Laos?
5. Intercession - Have you gotten any impressions, scriptures or words while praying for this group? Have you visited their area? Please share these and we will include them on the prayer page here: mlabri prayer page
6. Adoption - This is a very small group, but that doesn't diminish the importance of these people in Gods' heart. If you feel led to focus on this group, maybe God will use in a miraculous way to reach them with the Gospel! Need assistance? Contact us at: millionelephants@gmail.com, subject: adoption