Introduction / History

The Koho people speak the Koho language, a member of the Mon–Khmer branch of the Austroasiatic family. Their ancestral homeland is in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, particularly the Lam Dong region, where they have lived for generations as part of the highland tribal societies.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They have a cultural legacy. Matrilineal family structures (where children take the mother's family name and the husband may move into the wife's family village in traditional society) and traditions of farming, weaving, and extended-family life.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally, the Koho practiced animist and indigenous faiths that revered nature spirits, ancestral worship, and a pantheon of deities connected to mountains, rivers and forests. Over time, Christian missionaries began work among the Koho; now a large majority of Koho are identified as Christians. Even so, many Koho Christian believers often carry memories or practices of their traditional beliefs and may blend both worldviews. Thus their faith life may be a mixture of traditional custom, family ritual and Christian church involvement.

What Are Their Needs?

Spiritually, although many identify as Christian, there is a need for discipleship that is culturally relevant—Koho believers who understand both the Koho cultural background and the U.S. context can serve as bridges. Furthermore, there may be unmet needs for resources (churches, groups, mentors) that speak in the Koho language or understand Koho heritage.

Prayer Items

Pray for Koho Christian leaders and workers who can relate culturally and spread the gospel in ways meaningful to the tribal peoples of Vietnam.
Pray for increased discipleship and evangelism resources in the Koho language.
Pray for those who identify as Christians yet mix traditional religion and practices with Christianity.
Pray that they'd no longer grieve the Holy Spirit and rob themselves of the fulness of an authentic faith in Christ alone.

Scripture Prayers for the Koho in Vietnam.

References

Asia Harvest, "The Koho People – Bibles at Last for the Koho of Vietnam"
Peoples of the World Foundation, "The Indigenous Koho People"
Ethnologue entry for Koho language.