T'moan in Cambodia

The T'moan have only been reported in Cambodia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The T'moan people are one of the most remote tribes in all of Cambodia, located in Northern parts of Kratie and Mondolkiri provinces. There are approximately 650 to 700 T'moan people living in five different villages which are centered around their extended families. They are governed by the male tribal elders. They have very little contact with Khmer and as such very few can speak Khmer, but they do have limited contact with the Mel, Kraol, Bunong and most significantly the Jarai. Their language is more closely related to the Kraol people.

There are no roads to the villages and most of their villages are not listed on any Cambodian Government map. There are no schools, health centers or government offices among any of the T'moan tribal villages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The T'moan people were formally semi-nomadic but stayed generally in the remote forests of the northern Kratie province. They were nomadic not because of following wildlife or moving their fields, but because of spirits which would cause problems or sicknesses in the village. When the jungle spirits were offended, they would burn the village and move to a new location to start a new village. The T'moan do not cut timber, living in bamboo houses made without nails. The T'moan divide the responsibilities of life by gender and age. Old men work in the deep jungles looking for food and farming, women care for the young children and young men stay together in a special house in the center of the village where they will live until they find a wife to marry. During courtship, the young men try and sneak into a girl's house at night. A young man is successful in "courtship" when the girl accepts him into the house. If he is caught he must pay a fine to the village and is often required to be married.

The T'moan live in bamboo houses on stilts which are organized in a circle or long rectangle. As they have no access to modern medical care there are many sick people and malnutrition is common. All sicknesses are handled through village "spirit doctors". Death from sickness is very common.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Until recently the T'moan were purely animistic. They are still uninfluenced by Buddhism. Traditionally, being animistic and fearing the spirits, they hold annual sacrifices where they might slaughter several water buffalo or cows. For sicknesses or spells they will frequently sacrifice chickens and pigs. In 2006 two villages totaling some 400 people was said to have received Christ. Currently the T'moan are more than half Christian, with the other villages still to be reached.


What Are Their Needs?

Minorities in Cambodia are often treated very poorly unless their village becomes assimilated to the Khmer way of life, including religion and language. The T'moan people consider themselves the "minority of minorities". There are no roads to the villages, no schools and no access to clean water. They desire to be educated so that they may be more a part of the Cambodian society. Because of their remoteness and lack of education, outsiders often take advantage of them and their lack of education.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the T'moan in Cambodia.


Profile Source:   Cambodia Research Network. Click to email CRN inquiries and corrections  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General T'moan
People Name in Country T'moan
Alternate Names
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 18986
ROP3 Code 115365
ROP25 Code 308198
ROP25 Name T'moan
Country Cambodia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Kratié province: Sambour district, Srae Chis commune; Mondolkiri province: Kaoh Nheaek district, Roya commune.   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Country Cambodia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Kratié province: Sambour district, Srae Chis commune; Mondolkiri province: Kaoh Nheaek district, Roya commune..   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.40 %)
51.00 %
Ethnic Religions
49.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kraol (800 speakers)
Language Code rka   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kraol (800 speakers)
Language Code rka   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kraol

Primary Language:  Kraol

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Cambodia Research Network  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Cambodia Research Network. Click to email CRN inquires and corrections   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission
Profile Source Cambodia Research Network. Click to email CRN inquiries and corrections  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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