Tai Gapong in Thailand

People Name:	Tai Gapong
Country:	Thailand
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	2,200
World Population:	2,800
Primary Language:	Language unknown
Primary Religion:	Buddhism
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Tai
Affinity Bloc:	Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

More than a century ago, the ancestors of the Tai Gapong migrated westward from Gapong District in Bolikhamsai Province of what was once Laos. Crossing the Mekong River, they arrived in Thailand. As they carved out a life from the wilderness, strangers to the land around them, they longed for a powerful protector to safeguard their people. So they built a shrine, inviting the deities of heaven and earth, along with the spirits of the mountains and forests, to dwell there. Drawing on the name of an ancestor, they called the shrine's guardian deity "Grandfather Mahesak" (Chao Pho Mahesak).

What Are Their Lives Like?

For generations, Tai Gapong women have worn an elaborate traditional dress that sets them apart from other tribes. It consists of a skirt that falls just below the knees, "with white, red, brown and yellow horizontal stripes at its lower part, a long sleeved dark colored vest buttoned in the middle with silver coins and decorated with red bands along the hem, collar and sleeve ends. In the past, Tai Gapong women wore a silver belt, silver earrings, silver necklaces and silver anklets.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In Thailand the Tai Gapong reportedly "believe in an array of spirits, such as the spirit of the village, the spirit of the house, the spirit of the water, the spirit of the tree, but their most important spiritual being is Chao Pho Mahesak, humanized in the form of a man-like statue in his shrine. He is viewed as either an angel or a grandfather figure. More than a century ago, the ancestors of the Tai Gapong migrated westward from Gapong District in Bolikhamsai Province of what was once Laos. Crossing the Mekong River, they arrived in Thailand. As they carved out a life from the wilderness, strangers to the land around them, they longed for a powerful protector to safeguard their people. So they built a shrine, inviting the deities of heaven and earth, along with the spirits of the mountains and forests, to dwell there. Drawing on the name of an ancestor, they called the shrine's guardian deity "Grandfather Mahesak" (Chao Pho Mahesak).

To this day, the Tai Gapong remain closely devoted to Chao Pho Mahesak asa guardian spirit, believing he protects them from misfortune and brings blessing, some even say he once helped shield them from devastating fires. People believe he may appear in the form of a striped tiger, a great serpent, or a white dog, or come in dreams as a towering, dark-skinned ancient warrior with a booming voice, holding a sword. The Tai Gapong honor Chao Pho Mahesak annually on a specific day with flowers, whisky, rice, and other small sacrifices."

What Are Their Needs?

Because few people are even aware of the existence of the Tai Gapong people, little or no Christian outreach has ever been conducted among them. Only a very few Tai Gapong have heard the gospel. They continue—as they have for centuries—to live their lives without the slightest knowledge of Jesus Christ or his salvation.

Prayer Points

Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead them from darkness to light.
Pray for signs and wonders among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.