Bo in Laos

People Name:	Bo
Country:	Laos
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	4,400
World Population:	4,400
Primary Language:	Bo (Laos)
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	5.00 %
Evangelicals:	4.40 %
Scripture:	Portions
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Mon-Khmer
Affinity Bloc:	Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Wurm and Hattori's 1981 linguistic reference book, The Language Atlas of the Pacific Area, listed the Bo people as living in central Laos. The 1996 Ethnologue, which includes a brief description of every known language in the world, places the location of the Bo as "Central Laos inland from the bend of the Mekong, Nhang River, around Nape and Lak Sao."40 This description would place the Bo in Hinboun District within the northern part of Khammouan Province. The Bo live near the east bank of the Mekong River-one of the world's greatest waterways. The Mekong rises on the Tibetan Plateau and flows through six countries.Other studies, including the 1995 census and Laurent Chazee's Atlas des Ethnies et des Sous-Ethnies du Laos, do not mention the Bo either as an ethnic group or a language. More research is needed to determine if the Bo qualify as a distinct people group or not.Intriguingly, the Bo language is listed as being part of the Viet-Muong branch of the Mon-Khmer language family. It is therefore related to Muong in Vietnam, Nguon in Laos and other varieties. These languages are believed to be distantly related to Vietnamese.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Little is known about the Bo people group.

What Are Their Beliefs?

We do not know if Christianity has made an impact on the Bo. Many people have come to Christ in Khammouan Province, but the believers have endured intense persecution from local authorities. Christians meet in fields, forests, and caves, as it is not safe to meet in a building or in their own homes.

What Are Their Needs?

The Bos need a gospel witness in their language.

Prayer Points

Pray that the glory of God would take its rightful place among the Bo people, who were created in His image.Ask the Holy Spirit to draw the Bo to Christ.Pray that many will answer the call of Christ no matter what it costs.Pray that the Bo would soon be a redeemed people, declaring the praises of God to other people trapped in darkness.