Pnar

Pnar, also known as Jaintia, are an indigenous ethnic group of Meghalaya in northeast India. They primarily inhabit the Jaintia Hills, a highland area in the eastern part of the state, and live in the districts of East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and Ri Bhoi, with smaller settlements in neighboring regions. The Pnar are one of the major tribal communities of Meghalaya and are listed as a Scheduled Tribe in the Indian constitution.

The Pnar language, also called Jaintia, is a Khasian language within the Austroasiatic family and is closely related to Khasi. It is spoken by many Pnar people and is often written in the Latin script. Pnar and Khasi communities share cultural and linguistic affinities, and intermarriage and trade have historically linked them.

Historically, the Pnar formed the Jaintia Kingdom, with its capital at Nartiang in the West Jaintia Hills. The kingdom was annexed by the British in the early 19th century, and Meghalaya later became part of the Indian union. Modern Pnar society centers on agriculture and traditional practices, though many communities have diversified into other livelihoods. Today, many Pnar identify as Christians, a result of missionary activity, while traditional belief systems such as Niamtre persist among some groups.

The major cultural festival associated with the Pnar is Shad Suk Mynsiem, a spring dance festival celebrating harvest, song, and community unity. The Pnar maintain distinctive dress, music, and customary rites linked to the Jaintia way of life, reflecting their historical and linguistic ties with the broader Khasi cultural sphere.