Exploring the Monumentality of Khasi-Jaintia Hills Megaliths

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Marco Mitri

Abstract

To the Khasi-Pnar community, who are considered to be the authochthons of the Khasi-Jaintia hills of Meghalaya in northeastern India, the importance of their megalithic monuments is evident in their language itself, since the word “Kyn-maw” or “memory” derives from the word “Maw” or “stone.” The present paper deals with the general understanding of the megalithic monuments from these hills where the practice of erecting such monuments is a living tradition. The paper presents a summary of the functions and role of the megalithic monuments found in every nook and corner of the Khasi-Jaintia hills landscape and provides a close examination of the clan cists which are directly connected with the funerary practice of the people and their significance in the entire megalithic tradition.

Article Details

How to Cite
Mitri 2019: M. Mitri, Exploring the Monumentality of Khasi-Jaintia Hills Megaliths. JNA, 2019, 163–178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12766/jna.2019S.12.