Phu Thai People

Introduction / History
It is difficult for researchers to identify the Phutai because they have merged with other communities. In Vietnam they have not been granted status as a distinct ethnic group, but they are one of many subgroups lumped together under the official ‘Thai’ minority. The name Phutai has a generic meaning, ‘Tai people ‘, which further complicates attempts to classify them. Despite this murky situation, some other ethnic groups envy the Phutai because of their impressive cultural heritage. They are a proud people who still preserve their traditions.

The Phutai live across three countries in Southeast Asia: Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Phutai may also live in south-west Yunnan Province, China. A number of Phutai refugees were granted asylum in the USA. A small community has lived in the Los Angeles area since the late 1970s.

What Are Their Lives Like?
The lifestyle of the Phutai people is very similar to the peoples who surround them.

What Are Their Beliefs?
Many Phutai in Vietnam, and to a lesser degree in Laos, remain animists, with minimal Buddhist influence. Buddhism is stronger among the Phutai in Thailand, but worldwide only about 50 per cent of Phutai people identify themselves as Buddhists.

Each Phutai village in Thailand has one or more female shamans, called moi yau. They are responsible for mediating between the Phutai people and the spirit world. During certain times they go into trances and give messages from the spirit world or from the Phutai ancestors. The moi yau are both feared and highly respected by the Phutai.

Even those Phutai who say they are Buddhists mix their faith with the worship of 25 different spirits. ‘Every year during the third lunar month the Phutai gather for the Pi Tian (“Spirit of Heaven”) festival. People relax and unwind by riding horses, elephants and shooting arrows, etc. The focal point of the festival is a ritual at which the whole community gathers and offers sacrifices and prayers to the spirit that they believe resides in paradise above. After waiting for some time, the Phutai believe there is a moment when the spirit actually comes down from heaven. The normally reserved Phutai dance and jump for joy, and often healing takes place. Despite this remarkable ceremony, there are few Phutai who have ever accepted Jesus Christ, who is the Holy Spirit who gives lasting joy.

Today there are several hundred Phutai Christians in Laos, both Catholic and Protestant, and a similar number in Thailand. The vast majority of Phutai people, however, have never heard the gospel. Their strong sense of community often results in the Phutai being resistant to change and outside influence. Consequently, few have ever broken away to follow Christ.

What Are Their Needs?
The Phutai people need to accept the warm embrace of the only Savior so they can enjoy spiritually meaningful lives.

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.

What do they speak?
Phu Thai language
Phu Thai (Phuu Thai; Thai, Phu Thai: Phasa Phuthai, ภาษาผู้ไท or ภูไท) is a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Laos and Thailand. Although it appears different from the Isan and the Lao languages, it is spoken in areas where these languages are predominant and has been influenced by them. Comparisons of Phu Thai with other Tai languages such as Tay Khang[1] have not yet been done systematically enough to yield convincing results.

Phu Thai None Hom village
None Hom is a subdistrict in Mueang district, Sakon Nakhon province. It was founded in 1882 after Mr. Hom leaded villagers to settle down in this area. The immigrants in Ban None Hom belongs to the minor ethnic Group called “Phu Thai” who managed to maintain their culture and lifestyle. Therefore, Ban None Hom serves as a venue to perform Phu Thai traditional ceremonies. The history of Phu Thai None Hom village dates back to 1857. A group of Phu Thai immigrants from the city of Phu Wana Kadaeng in Laos crossed over Mekong River and skirted around Phu Phan mountain ranges. They headed west to a spacious basin plain, which is currently known as Nong Han Luang, and started to settle down. Some stayed close to water resources, while others preferred hilly areas near the foothill of Phu Phan (Nowadays it became part of None Hom district). Ancestors of the Phu Thai Ethnic group at Ban None Hom took up residence in small villages around paddy fields or borders of Bung Pa Tham forest.

Ban None Hom village is one of the worth-visiting attractions in Sakon Nakhon, if you are keen on Thai traditions and cultures. Ban None Hom village offers wonderful opportunities to observe the lifestyle of Phu Thai ethnic people. Visitors can join their indigenous dinner called “Pa Laeng”, watch cultural performance and ancient boxing dance routines. In case you would like to participated in the said activities, it is necessary to contact “Ban None Hom Marketing Demonstration Center, house number 5, Moo 2, None Hom subdistrict, Mueang district, Sakon Nakhon province, postal code 47000” prior to your visit. Drirection: from Sakon Nakhon downtown, drive along Highway 223 (Sakon Nakhon-Na Kae) for about 13 kilometers. At the intersection, make a right turn and continue for a couple of kilometers. Opening hours: 24 hours every day Admission fee: free of charge Contact: tel. 0 4251 3490-1.