Kraol in Cambodia

People Name:	Kraol
Country:	Cambodia
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	5,100
World Population:	5,100
Primary Language:	Kraol
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	1.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.50 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Mon-Khmer
Affinity Bloc:	Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Kraol people live on the border of Kracheh and Mondolkiri provinces, primarily along the banks of the Krieng River. They suffered greatly under the wars of Cambodia. At one time they were forced to adopt Khmer ways, including religion and language, to "civilize" them. They were bombed during the Vietnam-American war and the Vietnamese forced them to help them carry supplies on the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. Under the Khmer Rouge, they were heavily persecuted and forced to move into another area for growing rice. In the late 1980s the main Kraol village of Srie Chi was burned down by the Khmer Rouge and many villagers killed. A few Bunong have married into their tribe, but they generally live among their own people and still use their own language, though most can speak Khmer well.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Kraol are rice farmers and they raise cows which are sold to Khmer every year. The cows graze in the jungles during the day and are brought back into the villages at night. Since Srie Chi was recently destroyed, the Kraol have rebuilt the village in a Khmer style complete with a Wat where a few of the young people live as monks. Children receive basic primary education for grades one through three, but the teachers are usually young Khmer men from Kratie town who are not used to jungle life. As a result, classes are taught only a few days each month. The closest neighbors to the Kroal are the Mel people. They share much of the language with the T'moan people but have a distinct dialect. The Mel and Kraol languages are not mutually intelligible, so they converse using the Khmer language.

What Are Their Beliefs?

While professing to be Buddhist because of political pressure, the Kraol are animists. They hold annual sacrifices where they slaughter several water buffalo or cows to appease the spirits they fear. More regularly, for sicknesses or spells, they will offer chickens and pigs for sacrifices. Celebration of Buddhist holidays is mixed with animistic wine-pot drinking and sacrifices to spirits. The gospel has come to the Kraol and most have still never heard.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kraol have only one poor dirt road going to their village and only a few wells dug by an organization several years ago for three thousand people. Only the main village has access to well water. Because of their remoteness everything is expensive for them, including fuel for plows, canned goods and tools. No bridges cross the Krieng River where they live. The Kraol people live on both sides of the river, but crossing to the other side is difficult at any time of the year. Because of their poverty, there is no market for the food they grow and little access to medical care, education or modern infrastructure.

Prayer Points

Ask God to free the Kraol from the worship of false gods and to place in their hearts a hunger for the truth.
Pray for literacy training so that the Kraol can take advantage of Christian resources in the Khmer language.
Ask God to open doors for the showing of the JESUS Film in the Khmer language.
Pray for God to send the Kraol gospel workers who will be able to address their needs of education, clean water and accessibility.
Pray for God to save entire families among the Kraol and to launch from them a movement resulting in multiplying disciples and churches.