Approximately 45,000 Suay people inhabit more than 70 villages on both banks of the Mekong River in southern Laos. The majority live in Savannakhet Province, with significant numbers of Suay also found in Saravan, Xekong and Champasak.160 Most members of this ethnic group live in Thailand (234,000), where they are better known as the Kuy. More than 16,000 also live in northern Cambodia.

     In Laos the Suay like to live in valleys that surround the plains. Often they live in mixed villages with the Lao, Katang, and more recently Tai Oi and Bru people.

     The Suay have a reputation for being the best elephant-handlers in Laos. Elephants are used extensively for clearing land and moving timber.

     The Suay are one of the few remaining matriarchal and matrilineal societies in Laos today. The wife takes care of her family's finances. All possessions and the family name are handed down through the female side of the family. After marriage, the newlyweds must live with the bride's family. There is frequent divorce among the Suay.

     One matriarchal custom that is unique to the Suay is their tradition of joining women with the spirits of their dead ancestors. Each woman then worships and "carries the spirit" of the particular ancestor that was assigned to her protection.

     There are a number of Buddhist villages among the Suay. Although animism is the traditional religion of the Suay, it is now only zealously adhered to in more isolated villages. Pigs and chickens are sacrificed in front of their homes in a bid to procure the blessing of the spirits, and to gain their protection for the coming year.

     There are "several Catholic villages"161 among the Suay in Laos. In Thailand, where missions work can be conducted more freely, there are thousands of Kuy (Suay) Christians. The New Testament has been translated into the Suay language, using the Thai orthography. Unfortunately for the Suay in Laos, very few are able to read the Thai script. Only 37% of Suay in Laos can read Lao, and 63% have never attended school.

     The Christian ministry Gospel Recordings has produced cassettes in nine different Suay varieties/dialects.

Additional Information

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