Sedang in Vietnam

Sedang
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
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People Name: Sedang
Country: Vietnam
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 128,000
World Population: 129,000
Primary Language: Sedang
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 15.00 %
Evangelicals: 1.55 %
Scripture: Unspecified
Ministry Resources: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Mon-Khmer
Affinity Bloc: Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The 1995 national census of Laos listed 786 Sedang people, living in two communities in the Sanxai and Phouvong districts of Attapu Province. The Sedang live in the extreme southeast corner of Laos, near the juncture of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The great majority of Sedang (more than 100,000) live in Vietnam, primarily in Kon Tum Province. In Laos, the Sedang language is related to Halang and Halang Doan, but each of these three groups has a separate ethnic name and lives in a different area.

What Are Their Lives Like?

A communal house is located in the middle of each Sedang village. All social activities revolve around it. On its roof are two sharp objects that resemble large sails or axe-heads. Animal horns are also placed on the corners of the roofs. The communal houses are built entirely with the wood of trees that grow in the area.

In the past, the Sedang frequently made human sacrifices to demons. A visitor in the 1890s recorded, "When they build a communal house they place a living slave, usually a prisoner of war, into the hole into which the main column will be driven."

Some of the Sedang claim to have a legend of a great flood long ago that destroyed the earth's inhabitants. Only one brother and sister survived. They say that the Creator God caused the flood because He was upset at the increase of wickedness and debauchery among humans.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sedang in Laos do not know Jesus Christ. There are no known Christians among the Sedang in Laos.

What Are Their Needs?

Pray for a movement of the Holy Spirit among Sedang people that will result in church plants and discipleship.

Ask God to raise up laborers to plant churches among the Sedang.

Pray many Sedang would listen to the Sedang-language Gospel broadcast

Prayer Points

Peoples of Laos, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.
Peoples of Vietnam, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.

Text Source:   Joshua Project