Northern Hindko

HINDKO, NORTHERN (HAZARA HINDKO, HINDKI, KAGHANI, KAGANI) [HNO] 1,875,000 (1981 census); both Hindko languages had 305,505 households, 2.4% of the population (1981 census). Total Hindko in Pakistan 3,000,000 (1993). Hazara Division, Mansehra and Abbotabad districts, Indus and Kaghan valleys and valleys of Indus tributaries, NWFP. Rural and urban. Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda. Lexical similarities within Northern Hindko dialects are 82% to 92%; between Northern and Southern Hindko varieties 67% to 82%. Also related to Panjabi, Siraiki, and Pahari-Potwari; which have all been called 'Greater Panjabi', forming part of 'Lahnda'. Literacy rate probably below 20%. Perso-Arabic script is used. In recent years there have been some publications, mainly poetry. Some radio and television broadcasts. Second languages are Urdu for the educated, with varied proficiency, and Pashto or Panjabi. Bilingual proficiency is generally limited. Plains, low hills. Sunni Muslim.