Lawa, Western

More than 65,000 Western Lawa people pepper meant anger, feathers urgency, and live in two main regions of Asia. The major- gunpowder and bullets the intention of clan Yunnan ity (approximately 55,000) inhabit China’s warfare.’1 Yongle and Zhenkang counties in Yunnan A curious religious mix exists among the Province, while numerous Western Lawa vil- Western Lawa. Although the majority of this Mae Hong Son lages are also found in northern ’s group professes Theravada , their Chiang Mai and Maehongson provinces. THAILAND beliefs are mixed with animistic practices Lawa Western The Western Lawa generally inhabit thickly and spirit appeasement. Hundreds of Population: forested mountainous areas. There may Christian churches are also found among 62,850 (2000) also be a small number of Western Lawa their villages in south-west China. Christian- 68,700 (2010) 75,100 (2020) in Myanmar. An additional 30,000 Bulang ity has made less of an impact among people in China speak Western Lawa as Countries: China, Thailand, the Western Lawa in Thailand, although possibly Myanmar their mother tongue. there are small Buddhism: Theravada The Western pockets of known Christians: 10,000 Lawa language is believers among unintelligible from them. the Eastern Lawa The forefathers Overview of the language spoken in of the 10,000 Western Lawa northern Thailand. Western Lawa Other Names: Lawa, Mountain The majority of West- Lawa, Lava, Luwa, L’wa, Lavua, Christians fi rst Tame Wa ern Lawa in China received the are now bilingual Population Sources: 55,000 in gospel from the China (2000, P Hattaway) in Mandarin, while American Baptist 7,000 in Thailand (1987, D those in Thailand missionary Schlatter) Possibly also in Myanmar can speak Northern William Young in Thai. Western Language: Austro-Asiatic, Mon- the 1920s. Their Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Lawa is related to conversion was Palaungic, Western Palaungic, other Mon-Khmer not obtained by Waic, Lawa languages in forceful preach- Dialects: 1 (La-Oor) southern China and ing as much Professing Buddhists: 70% northern Myanmar. as by Young’s Practising Buddhists: 30% The Western Lawa in sacrifi cial love. Christians: 15.9% China are offi cially Once, in 1924, Scripture: New Testament considered part Young came 1972; Portions 1961 of the Wa minority across a sick Jesus fi lm: none group, although they woman left to die Gospel Recordings: Lawa: never participated in a ditch outside Western, Chang Maw; Lawa: Western, La-oor; Lawa: in the head-hunting a Lawa village. Western, Kawng Lawi; Lawa: for which other Wa Guessing she La-oop people are infamous. was a victim of Christian Broadcasting: none The Western Lawa smallpox, ‘Young ROPAL code: LCP adopted Theravada immediately Buddhism under the erected a shed Paul Hattaway Paul infl uence of the Tais and . . . washed Status of Evangelization many centuries ago. Consequently, they her sores continuously for three days. To became a more peaceful people than their draw out the puss, Young did not hesitate 55% wild head-hunting cousins. to use his own mouth. His devotion and Western Lawa women like to wear lots of compassion opened the hearts of countless 29% 2 jewelry and intricate embroidery and adorn- [Lawa] to receive his message.’ Many 16% ment on their blouses and dresses. Large Western Lawa churches today are liberal earrings are common, especially in China. and syncretistic. Many people attend church In the past the Lawa had no written form of out of tradition rather than in pursuit of a A B C living relationship with Christ. A = Have never heard the gospel their language, so they communicated by B = Have heard the gospel but have sending objects to other villages. ‘Sugar- not become Christians C = Are adherents to some form of cane, banana or salt meant friendship, but Christianity

8–9 July, LAWA, WESTERN 158