O Du people group of Laos
 
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  • Population: 194(1989);245(2000);305(2010)
  • Main Province: Xiangkhoang
  • Language Affiliation: Mon-Khmer
  • Religion: Animism
  • Christians: none known

The main information provided here is used by permission from asiaharvest.org

Additional information may be provided by millionelephants.com

Pray for the O Du
  • The O Du have been slaves to people and demons for centuries. Pray they would soon find liberation in Christ.
  • Ask God to raise up laborers to plant churches among the O Du.
  • Pray that God would lead Khmu and Hmong believers to share the Gospel with the O Du.

Linguist Frank Proschan listed a 1989 figure of 194 O Du people in Laos. They live in the Nonghet District of Xiangkhoang Province, directly on the Laos-Vietnam border. The area was previously known as Samnuea Province. Coincidentally, a 1995 study in Vietnam found there to be exactly the same number of O Du (194) living within that country.

In Vietnam the O Du are acknowledged as an official minority nationality, but in Laos the O Du are not officially recognized at all. It is uncertain which ethnic group they were counted under in the 1995 census. Neighboring people groups in Laos call the O Du Tay Hat, or Hat. This is a derogatory name meaning 'rag people'. They call themselves O Du.

Five centuries ago the O Du were a large and prosperous group who lived along the Nam Mon and Nam Mo rivers in both Laos and Vietnam. At different times they were attacked by the Tai Dam, Han Chinese, Hmong and Khmu, who chased them away and took them as slaves.

The O Du like to build their houses on stilts and have thatched straw roofs. Inside, rooms are partitioned off with plaited bamboo. Despite being on the verge of extinction, the few remaining O Du are proud of their ethnicity.

The O Du language, which is part of the Northern Mon-Khmer family, is on the verge of extinction. It is only spoken by a few elderly people, who are greatly respected because of it. The O Du believe they must learn their language again in their old age so that when they die they will be able to communicate with their ancestors. They fear if they cannot speak their language their ancestors will not be able to recognize them in the after-life. In the same way, old O Du women carefully preserve a traditional garment. They put it on at the end of their lives so they can be presented to their ancestors.

The O Du are a very superstitious people. They worship a multitude of spirits. They believe each person has a soul. When someone dies their soul leaves the body and resides in the house, watching over the family's activities.

Jesus Christ has never been named among the O Du. They remain an unreached people in both Laos and Vietnam.

 

 

  

Additional Information

  1. Gospel Recording in O Du here: O Du resources page If you are aware of other recordings, literature, or anything else for the O Du people, please let us make it available online.
  2. Getting there - If you make a trip to the O Du people, share your experience and advice here: O Du travel page
  3. Information - Do you know something more about the beliefs of the O Du? Do you have a story to tell? Do you have a picture? Please share it here.
  4. Does anyone know of a O Du 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: O Du prayer page
  6. Adoption - This is a 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