Karo

Karo is a term that can refer to several distinct things across different cultures and contexts. It is the name of an ethnic group and their language in Indonesia, as well as a brand name used for a corn syrup product.

In Indonesia, the Karo are an ethnic group located mainly in the highlands of North Sumatra. They are part of the larger Batak ethnolinguistic family and speak the Karo language, a Northern Batak language within the Austronesian family. The Karo people have their own cultural practices, social structures, and traditional communities centered in the region of Karo Regency, with towns such as Kabanjahe and Berastagi playing important roles in local life.

Karo is also a brand of corn syrup widely used in cooking and baking in North America. Karo syrup comes in varieties commonly labeled as light and dark and is a constituent ingredient in a variety of desserts and sweet sauces.

Additionally, Karo can function as a surname or given name in several cultures, reflecting a range of linguistic origins. The term’s meaning and usage thus vary by country and language, spanning ethnicity, cuisine, and personal nomenclature.