The Pacoh are a minority ethnic group, part of the Katuic peoples.

Pacoh
Pacoh children in Laos
Total population
22,640 (Laos 2015)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Laos, Vietnam
Languages
Pacoh, others
Religion
Animism

Etymology edit

The name Pacoh may mean 'mountaineers'. Alternate names for Pacoh are: Bo, Pako, and Van Kieu.

Distribution edit

They live mostly in an extremely remote mountainous area of Laos, near the Vietnam border. There are approximately 17,000 Pacoh in Laos, and approximately 35,000 Pacoh worldwide.[citation needed]

In Laos, the Pacoh live in the northern portion of Saravan Province (Sa Mouay District) and the southern portion of Savannakhet Province (Nong District).

Other Pacoh live in Vietnam where they are considered a part of the Ta Oi minority. In Vietnam, the Pacoh (Khas Pakho) number approximately 15,000 (1973) and are found in the highlands of Thừa Thiên-Huế Province.[2]

Industry edit

Their main industry is slash-and-burn agriculture.

Religion edit

Most Pacoh are animists. They pray to many gods, ghosts and deities. Every village has a spirit-house on its outskirts.

Language edit

Pacoh speak the Pacoh language.

References edit

  1. ^ "Results of Population and Housing Census 2015" (PDF). Lao Statistics Bureau. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Pacoh". Retrieved 2007-09-11.