Introduction / History

The name May means "beggar" in their own language, which is part of the Viet-Muong branch of Mon-Khmer. The May are part of a larger group called Chut. These days, most of the different tribes of Chut speak one language, but in the past, they spoke different dialects and fought with each other. Still today, however, each group carries its own ethnicity and customs.

Local people call the several Chut tribes in Laos Kha Tong Luang ('Yellow-Leaf People’) because they used to build temporary shelters made of banana leaves and moved on when the leaves had yellowed and withered. This has led to confusion among researchers and ethnographers because there are two other groups in Laos who practice the same custom. We have named these other two groups Mlabri and Aheu.

The Chut-May ethnic group live in a remote area along the Laos-Vietnam border in the Bouarapha District of Khammouan Province. Their location has been given as "both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border, east of Phuc Trac, southeast of the Arem."

What Are Their Lives Like?

Chut women are experts at finding edible roots, snails, vegetables, and mushrooms on the forest floor. May men hunt small game using traps and crossbows with poisoned arrows. They use dogs to track animals during large-scale hunting expeditions.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam was brought to Malaysia by Arabic and Indian traders many centuries ago. The Malay people have come to embrace and ardently follow the Islamic faith. While levels of devotion vary, all Malay people are considered Islamic. Even those who half-heartedly follow Islam participate in the fasting month, and Malay people of affluence will go on the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once, if not many times, during their lifetime. The Malay once followed Hinduism and one can find traces of it in certain aspects of their culture.

What Are Their Needs?

Although the Bible, evangelistic literature, the JESUS Film, and Christian broadcasts are available in the Malay language, few have accepted Jesus as Savior. There is a need for increased intercession and missionary efforts in order for the Malay to be re

Prayer Items

Ask God to send loving workers to the Chut in both Laos and Vietnam.
Pray for persons of peace to welcome Christ's ambassadors.
Pray the Chut may no longer be known as beggars, but as children of the King and joint-heirs with Christ.
Pray for the Lord to reveal himself to Chut people through dreams and visions.

Scripture Prayers for the Chut in Vietnam.

References

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