More than 15,000 Oy people inhabit 21 villages in southern Laos. Most are located in the Samakkhixai and Sanamxai districts of Attapu Province;129 and the adjoining Pakxong District of Champasak Province, at the foot of the Bolaven Plateau. Many of the Mon-Khmer speaking tribes in southern Laos are mixed together. The Oy share their villages with the Brau and Ngae.

The Oy language is closest to Chieng, Sapuan and Sok. According to their own traditional stories and customs, the Oy and Chieng say they originated in China, before migrating into Southeast Asia. Many Oy communities in Attapu have lived on the plains for three generations cultivating rice. They say they have lived in their present location for 150 years.

In the past, Oy society was more matriarchal than it is now. Oy women, however, still handle money matters. In many other ways, Oy culture is being assimilated by their Lao, Chieng and Brau neighbors. Interestingly, however, the Oy have stubbornly resisted Buddhism and have continued to worship their ancestors.

Ancestor worship could be accurately described as the main religion among the Oy today. Offerings and prayers are frequently made to the spirits of their ancestors. The Oy believe that to abandon this practice will cause anguish to the souls of the deceased.

Except for the more isolated communities, the Oy have not practiced animistic ceremonies for more than 50 years. Only times of great need, such as in the case of a natural disaster or epidemic, are animistic rituals resurrected.

Today, there are about 200 Oy Christ-ians, meeting in several churches. They have suffered much under the Lao government. At the time of writing this book, three Oy pastors were in prison, including one for the third time.

O.M.F. (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) were the first mission to work among the Oy. Part of their work was a leprosy clinic, ministering to the more than 700 lepers in the area. The first believer among the Oy was a Shaman. After converting to Christ he was murdered by his own people. They plucked out his eyes and dumped his body in the forest.

Additional Information

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