Poumong people group of Laos
 
s
 
fghf
  
  • Population: 900(1995);1,010(2000);1,260(2010)
  • Main Province: Saravan
  • Language Affiliation: Phongsali
  • Religion: unknown
  • 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 Poumong
  • Pray God Himself would call evangelists and church planters to target the Poumong people of Laos.
  • Ask God to raise up Poumong who will worship Him in spirit and truth.
  • Poumong people will worship Christ around His throne. Pray all Poumong would receive a chance to believe.

Approximately 1,000 members of the Poumong ethnic group live in the Boun-Tai and Khoa districts of southern Phongsali Province in Laos.

Very little is known about the Poumong. They have never appeared in ethno- linguistic lists of Laos before, even though they claim to be a unique people group. Their linguistic affiliation is also yet to be determined, although they may be related to the Pouhoy people in adjacent areas of northern Oudomxai Province. The Pouhoy speak a language from the Mon-Khmer family. Before 1975, the Poumong lived under the authority of the Royal palace in Luang Prabang. Before the Communists came to power, they had promised to keep the Lao monarchy, but they lied... "King Sisavang Vatthana was forced to abdicate on 1 December 1975, a day before the declaration of the LPDR [Lao People's Democratic Republic], and he and the former RLG [Royal Lao Government] prime minister, Prince Souvanna Phouma, were appointed advisers to the new President SouphanouvongÖ. The abdication came as a shock to many Lao because the Pathet Lao had promised to retain the monarchy."143

The Lao King and princes were always seen as spiritual leaders as well as temporal by most of the people in Laos. Prince Phetsarath, in particular, was believed to possess magical powers. Reports circulated, that were believed by many people, that the Prince "had the power to change himself into a fish and could swim under water for long distances. It was said that bullets could not harm him. He was also reputed to have the ability to change his form, so that at a conference with the French at the time of the Free Lao Movement, he became angry with them, turned himself into a fly, and flew out the windowÖ. People from many parts of the Kingdom often write to him requesting his picture, and some of them place it in their rice fields to keep away malevolent spirits."144

The Poumong continue to live their lives under the belief in magic and supernatural forces, that can be manipulated through prayers and offerings. Their animistic rituals include some animal sacrifice and ancestor worship. None of the Poumong have reportedly believed in Jesus Christ, as few have ever heard the Gospel.

 

  

 

  

Additional Information

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