Indus Kohistanis are an
Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group speaking the
Maiya language
Indus Kohistani (, Kōstaiñ) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the former Kohistan District of Pakistan. The language was referred to as Maiyã (Mayon) or Shuthun by early researchers, but subsequent observations have not verified that these ...
. They are located in
Indus Kohistan, in northern
Pakistan.
History
Inhabiting the region of
Indus Kohistan, the Kohistani formerly practiced
Hinduism and
Buddhism, until the 15th century, when the Kohistani started converting to
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
.
''
A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province'' thus notes that their neighbours, "The
Pathans call them, and all other Muhammadans of Indian descent in the Hindu Kush valleys, Kohistanis."
During the winter, the Kohistani people reside near their fields, while in the summer they migrate to camping grounds that are located 14,000 feet in altitude.
See also
*
Maiyã language
References
{{Reflist
Ethnic groups in Pakistan
Dardic peoples
Indo-Aryan peoples