The Koli of Pakistan

Published April 24, 2014
A Kutchi Koli woman in Shahdadpur, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A Kutchi Koli woman in Shahdadpur, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A Kutchi Koli woman preparing food in Shahdadpur, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A Kutchi Koli woman preparing food in Shahdadpur, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
Koli woman in Tharparkar, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
Koli woman in Tharparkar, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A boy collecting firewood for domestic needs in Tharparkar, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A boy collecting firewood for domestic needs in Tharparkar, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A woman going to get water in Jhuddo, Mirpur Khas District, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A woman going to get water in Jhuddo, Mirpur Khas District, Sindh. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
Water scarcity is the major issue of Tharparkar desert. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
Water scarcity is the major issue of Tharparkar desert. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A family in front of their hut in Thar.  – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
A family in front of their hut in Thar. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
Women returning home after collecting firewood in Thar. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu
Women returning home after collecting firewood in Thar. – Photo by Emmanuel Guddu

The Koli tribes are located in southeastern Pakistan. They are primarily concentrated in the lower Thar Desert, just east of the Indus River. There are several major subdivisions of Koli in that area, including the Wadiyara Koli, the Kutchi Koli (or Lohar), and the Tharadari Koli. The Koli tribes all speak their own Indo-Aryan languages.

Here are some pictures of the people from the various Koli tribes.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...