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People group profile · PG050524

The Akha Jipea of Laos

The Akha Jipea of Laos, numbering about 9,800 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are one of numerous Akha hill tribes that migrated from China into Southeast Asia during the early 20th century to settle in the mountains of northern Laos.

They are an indigenous people in the Hani-Akha people cluster of the Himalayan Peoples. Their primary religion is Folk Buddhism, and they primarily speak Akha.

Pray for the Akha JipeaPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Akha Jipea people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash: Akha Jipea

Fast facts

Country
Laos
Population
9,800
Affinity group
Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
People cluster
Hani-Akha
Primary language
Akha (ahk)
Primary religion
Folk Buddhism
Strategic Progress Index
Unengaged and Unreached
Evangelical
No Known Evangelicals
GSEC
Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
Lostness priority
Frontier Unreached People Group
Also known as
Hayi, Chipea
Region
South-Eastern Asia, Asia
Location
Oudomxay and Phongsaly provinces: 20 villages

Where they live

Gospel status

The Akha Jipea are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.

  • Congregations exist No
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Akha Jipea

  • Pray that God would send workers to this people group
  • Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
  • Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice

Primary religion

Folk Buddhism · Buddhism

70% adherents

Primary language

Akha · Sino-Tibetan family

80% speak Akha

Gospel resources in Akha

  • Bible available
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs not available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories not available

Films

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Akha Jipea

  1. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  2. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
  3. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  4. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.

Download a prayer guide

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