The Western Bru of Laos live along the border with Vietnam. Though they speak the same language as the Eastern Bru, the two groups have distinct dialects. Some of the Bru are bilingual, speaking both their native language and Lao. The word "Bru" literally means "mountain." This name was probably given to the Bru in reference to their geographical location.
The Bru are descendants of the great Khmer Empire that flourished between the ninth and thirteenth centuries. It encompassed present-day Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and southern Vietnam. The Empire declined after being conquered by the Thai and Vietnamese. About 400 years ago, the Bru were pushed out of the best valley lands in northern Laos and forced southward by the Thai-speaking peoples.
In recent years, this region has been the location of numerous battles and invasions. It has also become the object of political competition between China, Russia and Vietnam.
Most of the Bru are wet-rice farmers. Many borrowed the agricultural techniques of the Lao, replacing traditional "slash and burn" methods with terrace irrigation. The Bru who live in the mountainous regions or highlands continue to practice "slash and burn" farming. Some also hunt and fish to supplement their incomes. Others have become skilled merchants.
Bru villages are typically located along the banks of rivers or streams. The houses are usually arranged in a circle around a central "community house." Each home stands on stilts and is divided into several rooms to accommodate the extended family. The first room is used to receive guests and includes a sacred shrine for spirit worship. Each house also contains a fireplace for preparing meals.
The Bru live in small, self-governing villages that are usually limited to a single valley. Each village is under the control of the chao muong, or prince, to whom the commoners pay taxes. Although the Bru are considered citizens of Laos, very few of them have any representation in the government. The village headman, who is the eldest male, decides all important issues. Marriages are monogamous and each family is under the leadership of the oldest male.
Most of the Bru have adopted the Laotian way of life. Their clothes, culture and social organization are patterned on their Laotian neighbors. Only a few special characteristics remain, such as the traditional white scarf that the Bru women wear over their hair. Bru folk art and literature, however, are well developed and unique. They skillfully play a variety of musical instruments, sing and perform narrative readings.
Virtually all Bru practice their own traditional religion. Ancestor worship (praying to deceased ancestors for prosperity, guidance and protection) is the most important activity. Each clan has a common worship place where they offer uncooked rice, water and broken bowls to the dead. These ancestral spirits are believed to cause illnesses if not properly appeased. The Bru also believe in various spirits of nature and that a guardian spirit guards each village.
Land mines and cluster bombs leftover from the Vietnam War are still present throughout Vietnam and Laos. Deaths and injuries are common when villagers are working in their fields or gardens. Many children have been seriously injured while playing in the fields.
The villagers need God's protection as they work in fields laden with mines. They also need more education teams to teach them how to clear the mines. Medical help, prostheses, and physical therapy are also needed. These needs could provide opportunities for Christian medical and humanitarian missionaries to gain access to the Bru.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into Laos to live and work among the Bru.
Ask the Lord to send medical missionaries to work among the Bru and share Christ's love with them.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local fellowships of believers that will plant more churches.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will only be satisfied by a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Bru, Western in Laos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bru_language
https://www.endangeredlanguages.com/lang/3972/guide
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
