Kho people facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 229,200 (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Chitral District, Jammu and Kashmir | |
 Pakistan |
214,500 |
 India |
19,200 |
| Languages | |
| Khowar | |
| Religion | |
| Hanafi Sunni Islam, Ismaili Islam |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kalasha people | |
The Kho are a group of people who live in the Dardistan region. They speak a language called Khowar. This language is part of the Indo-Aryan language family. Many Kho people live in the Chitral District of Pakistan. Others live in Jammu and Kashmir in India.
Who Are the Kho People?
The Kho people are thought to be descendants of groups who moved into the region a long time ago. In the past, the Kho people followed forms of ancient Hinduism and Buddhism. During the 1200s, when the Mongols invaded parts of India, many Kho people in the northern areas became followers of Islam.
Where Do Kho People Live?
Most Kho people live in the Chitral District. This area is in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There is also a good number of Kho people living in Jammu and Kashmir, India. You can also find a few Kho people in northern Afghanistan. Most of them live in the northern province of Badakhshan.
Kho Culture and Traditions
Kho culture really values poetry, songs, and dance. The Kho people also have a lot of respect for rules and order. This is partly because Chitral was a stable kingdom for most of its history. In Chitral, the law and the ruler's decisions were more important than old ideas like revenge or staying separate from others. This helped create a peaceful society.
