Akha Mutuen in Laos

Introduction / History

The Mutuen (Mutem) people are a lesser-documented subgroup of the Akha ethnic minority in Laos. They reside in two small villages in Oudomxay province and one small village in Phongsali, each with a population of only a few hundred. However, the many different Akha tribes make up the 9th largest ethnic group in Laos. They migrated from China, likely in the 16th or 17th centuries fleeing unrest, and also later in the 20th century.The language of the Akha is part of the Tibeto-Burman family, and they maintain an oral tradition without a written script. All Akha subgroups speak dialects of the Akha language. Dialects vary, but most understand the jeu g’oe dialect used in southern China, Thailand, and Myanmar. While some of the tribes do interact some, they remain distinct. Sometimes significant language differences exist with some groups: they speak completely unintelligible languages to other Akha. The gospel does not naturally flow from one group to the next.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Like other mountainous Akha tribes, the Mutuen people are most certainly both isolated and insular, with rich traditions and meaningful rituals. Most likely slash-and-burn farmers, they raise rice and corn, as well as chickens, pigs and water buffalos. Most people work in their village at home and a few may work with the government. The young people sometimes move to work in the nearby town and Vientiane capital.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like most Akha subgroups, the Mutuen practice animism worshipping ancestors and nature spirits. Rituals like “yukham” (postpartum fire rituals) and “kalum” (temporary prohibitions) are common. They fear the spirit world and believe they can be helped or harmed by these spirits. Often, they get the help of shamans and other religious specialists for rituals to appease spirits. People with this worldview often open their hearts more quickly to the gospel since Christ offers protection from the spirits. Some have adopted Christianity, blending it with animism.

What Are Their Needs?

All Akha subgroups, including the Mutuens, are among the poorest hill tribes, with limited access to education, healthcare, or electricity. Opium addiction affects one in ten Akha, and HIV/AIDS rates are high, with women often bearing economic burdens.

Prayer Points

Late in 2023, police arrested three Christians from the Akha people groups for building a church. Authorities demolished the building. Pray for the safety of these men.Pray for Laotian authorities who closely monitor Christians and threaten them to stop their Christian activities. Pray that God will open their eyes and hearts.Pray for the spread of the gospel among the Akha’s tribes.Pray that the Lord will give them dreams of his loving and omnipotent Holy Spirit, who will protect them and guide them.Pray for other tribal representative whom God has reached, who will go to them with the message from their Father God. Pray for disciples who will make more disciples.Pray for the Akha’s physical and spiritual needs to be met by our generous God.

Text Source:   Joshua Project