A mere 350 members of the Pana ethnic group live in two distinct areas of northern Laos. Two villages (Bopiet and Namtoung) are located in the Luang Namtha District of Luang Namtha Province, near the Laos-China border. One additional village of Pana is located further south, in the Houayxay District of Bokeo Province.

There are possibly several thousand Pana living in southern Yunnan Province, China, where they are officially included under the Hani nationality. The Pana in Laos say they migrated from China eight generations ago, under the authority of a Chinese leader named Lateu Kouang. They arrived first in the Viangphouka District of Luang Namtha, before dispersing to their present locations.

Traditionally, the Pana lived in the mountains, but in the last 35 generations some have moved down to the plains and valleys. They have learned how to grow irrigated crops, and now intermingle with other ethnic groups. Today, it is difficult to tell the Pana apart from the Lu, Lao and Khmu. The Pana have not worn their traditional dress for many generations, but now wear Lu and Lao clothing.

Despite their small population, there are three clan divisions among the Pana in Laos: Sing Di, Sing Chao and Sing Pong.

The Pana build their houses similar to the Hmong. This may have contributed to them being erroneously placed in the "Miao-Yao" section of Laurent Chazee's 1995 book, as the Pana language is actually part of the Tibeto-Burman language family, and is related to Akha. Some Pana are bilingual in Lahu.

The Pana have never appeared in official government literature in either Laos or China. Small groups with little influence tend "not to exist" in nations where there is no benefit to be gained from acknowledging small ethnic groups like the Pana.

The Christian world has had some contact with the Pana however. Some time in the past, missionaries helped produce a Gospel recording cassette in the Pana language. Unfortunately, because few people have even heard of the existence of the Pana, it is not known if this tool has ever been used.

Additional Information

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