Nyahon in Laos

The Nyahon have only been reported in Laos
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Nyahon live on the Bolaven Plateau at a low altitude but are classified as Lao Theung (300-900m) simply because they are a Mon-Khmer group. The Nyahon ethnic group inhabit 30 villages in southern Laos, primarily on the eastern part of the Bolaven Plateau in Champasak Province. Others are found in neighboring Attapu and Xekong provinces. Despite their relatively close proximity to Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, there is no evidence of Nyahon people living outside of Laos.


Where Are they Located?

The Nyahon used to wear their own style of traditional clothing, but they lost this custom at least three generations ago. Today the Nyahon wear normal Lao clothing.

Although in many respects Nyahon society is matriarchal, inheritance rights are divided equally between sons and daughters.

Pre-marital sex is not only allowed in Nyahon communities but is actually encouraged. 'Flower' houses are set aside for young people to spend the night together. After marriage, the husband must live with his wife's family.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Animism has a strong hold on the Nyahon. They won't make a decision until they ask the spirits about their wishes. The Nyahon believe each person has seven souls. They especially revere a spirit called Brrah. Other spirits of nature include the spirit of trees, water, rice-field, thunder, and mountains.

Shamans, or spirit priests, conduct regular ceremonies where they make sacrifices and offer up prayers to protective spirits. They believe they can identify offended spirits by a ritual involving rice and the organs of a chicken. They hold special ceremonies in the event of a natural disaster or epidemic.


What Are Their Needs?

The best immediate hope for the evangelization of the Nyahon may rest with believers from recent people movement to Christ that have occurred among several tribal groups in northern Cambodia. At this point, less than one percent of the Nyahon people are Christian.


Prayer Points

The Nyahon have been separated from the Gospel throughout their history. Pray many would soon hear.
Ask God to raise up laborers to plant churches among the Nyahon.
In prayer, disarm the principalities that have prevented the Nyahon from hearing and believing the gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Nyahon in Laos.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Nyahon
People Name in Country Nyahon
Alternate Names Gyahon; Hoen; Nha Heun; Nia; Niahon; Nyaheun
Population this Country 9,800
Population all Countries 9,800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 19027
ROP3 Code 107528
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Champasak, Attapu, and Xekong provinces, Pakxong, Bachiangchareunsouk, Xaisettha, and Laman districts.   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999
Country Laos
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Champasak, Attapu, and Xekong provinces, Pakxong, Bachiangchareunsouk, Xaisettha, and Laman districts..   Source:  Faces of the Unreached in Laos, 1999
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.75 %)
0.75 %
Ethnic Religions
99.25 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Nyaheun (9,800 speakers)
Language Code nev   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Nyaheun (9,800 speakers)
Language Code nev   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Nyaheun

Primary Language:  Nyaheun

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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