The 1995 census of Laos listed 35,635 Phunoi people. They live in more than 70 scattered villages across northern Laos. The highest concentration are found in Phongsali Province,133 with other non-contiguous communities in Oudomxai, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang and Houaphan provinces. There are 1,200 Phunoi in Vietnam, where they are known as Cong, and others in Thailand and probably China.

Prior to 1895, Phongsali was an independent Lu principality attached to Sipsongpanna in China. The French annexed it and it has belonged to Laos ever since. Today, many Phunoi in Phongsali share their villages with the Han Chinese. The Phunoi wear dist-inctive white leggings.

The Lao census figure for the Phunoi may include several smaller Tibeto-Burman groups in Laos, including the Hwethom, Khoany, Mung, Kkaskhong. These groups may speak distinct languages. Phunoi, which originally was a derogatory name meaning 'minor people' may be a generic term for a collection of Tibeto-Burman speaking tribes in northern Laos, including the Gazhou and Kado which we have profiled separately.

The Phunoi say they came from Burma in the 16th century. According to their oral records, they were posted in the Poukha District to serve the Burmese army, who were attempting to take over northern Laos. After military hostilities died down they remained in Laos and settled in Phongsali.134

Although the Phunoi are traditionally animists, many have been converted to Buddhism in the last 150 years under influence from the Lu. The Phunoi still observe their animistic ceremonies however. Spirits are called on to heal sickness. They offer respect and appease the spirits, including the spirits of the land, rivers, water and trees. They believe that by doing so, they have a better chance of being accepted into heaven when they die or when the end of the world comes.

There are no known Christians or churches among the Phunoi in Laos, even though they were first visited by missionaries Daniel McGilvary and William Clifton Dodd in 1902.135 The present Foreign Minister of Laos, Sang Laolee, is a Phunoi. He is renown for his very strong opposition to Christianity.

Additional Information

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