Kuy

Population 30,000 Major Animism, Folk Religion Buddhism Language Kuy

Percent Less than 1% Christian

Bible None Translation

Who are the Ku? from that of the . They typically wear uy people are found in , and western type , though women often wear a . They are also known as Kui, Suai . Both men and women use the Cambodian Kand Kamen-boran (which means ancient Krama (checked cotton piece of fabric) as , Khmer).In Cambodia they live primarily in the head wear, belts, wraps for bathing and other uses. north-central part of the country, in Preah Vihear Like most in Cambodia, the Kuy have an oral and Kampong Thom provinces. Their villages are culture with high illiteracy. For most, education is mostly in remote areas interspersed with Khmer only available for two or three years, but in Khmer, villages. which contributes to their assimilation into Cambo- Early inhabitants of the area, the Kuy did not dian culture. have an advanced civilization or empire like the Khmers. In the past they had a reputation as iron ore What do they believe? smelters and blacksmiths, but those skills seem to Their beliefs are a mixture of animist and Folk Bud- have been lost. dhist ideas with animism being the older and more In appearance they do not differ from the dominant belief structure. Buddhism is increasing in Khmers. They have their own language, unwritten their areas as they assimilate more with the Khmer until recently. One folk tale is that the village elders people. For example one large village now has a very originally wrote their language on a pig skin but then simple wooden Buddhist temple built less than 10 dogs ate it so their writing was lost. Kuy is in the years ago. Many wear strings tied around the neck, Mon- group and there are several waist or wrists to ward off evil spirits. They mostly dialects. Most Kuy people also speak Khmer and in rely on traditional healers in the case of illness. some places they are losing their own language. What are their needs? What are their lives like? The Kuy are at the bottom of the economic heap The Kuy are mostly poor wet rice farmers. Farming in Cambodia. They are often looked down upon by is labor intensive, plowing with cows or water buffalo Khmer people. The Kuy have little access to good and transporting goods by oxcart. They grow few health care. They could really benefit from health other crops, though in some areas they grow cashews. and hygiene education, better access to clean water, They also raise chickens, pigs and cattle. Many also and improved agricultural methods. gather forest products like resin, wood and tradi- Many have never heard of Jesus and few have tional medicines although this is changing due rapid had the opportunity to hear the Gospel presented deforestation. Frequently, their diet consists of rice in a way that makes sense to them. Pray for com- eaten with salt and chili peppers. mitted Cambodians and other believers to bring Kuy villagers live in houses like those of their the good news to these people. Khmer neighbors, bamboo and thatch on stilts. Their fields are typically some distance away sur- rounding the village. Their dress is not different

40 THE PEOPLES OF CAMBODIA