Exploring Jino Village in Xishuangbanna: The Cultural Sanctuary of China's Last Recognized Ethnic Group

🌱🌱🌱 Amidst the sea of clouds and tea mountains, the sound of drums awakens an ancient village

This is the home of the Jino people, officially recognized as China's 56th ethnic group by the State Council in 1979. Transitioning directly from a primitive society to modernity, the Jino people represent a "leap-forward ethnic group" and their village serves as a living museum showcasing Jino culture in Xishuangbanna.

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📜 Unique Ethnic and Historical Significance

China's Last Recognized Ethnic Group: The Jino people were officially recognized as a minority on June 6, 1979, marking the conclusion of China's ethnic identification efforts. With a population of just over 20,000, they are concentrated in Jino Mountain Township.

A Millennia of Social Transformation: In the 1950s, the Jino people were still in a primitive clan commune stage, practicing traditions like wood carving for record-keeping and slash-and-burn farming. Today, they stand as a vivid example of socialist development.

Cultural Preservation Core: The Jino Village Scenic Area, built around the natural village of Bapo, was named "China's Most Traditionally Distinctive Ethnic Village" in 2014. It is also the heritage site for the intangible cultural asset, the Jino Drum Dance.

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🎭 Immersive Cultural Experiences

1. Symbols and Rituals: A Walking Epic of Faith
- Buffalo Head Path: A rite of passage symbolizing courage, where Jino boys must independently hunt a buffalo to mark their adulthood. The path is lined with stacked buffalo skulls.
- Sacred Totems: Statues of the creation goddess Amo Yaobei, ancestral figures Mahei Manyou, and the Five God Pillars of the Zoba House embody the Jino people's cosmology and ancestor worship.
- Imprints of Zhuge Liang: Legend has it that the Jino people are descendants of Zhuge Liang's southern expedition. Their stilted bamboo houses resemble "Zhuge Liang's hat," and traditional instruments like "Qike" and "Bugu" echo the sounds of ancient hunting.

2. Living Heritage
- Jino Drum Dance: A 50-person ensemble dances to thunderous drumbeats, a performance listed in the first batch of intangible cultural heritage.
- Live Performance "Youle Youle": An 8-act play blending welcome dances, hunting chants, and weaving songs. Visitors can enjoy Jino delicacies (grilled meat, baby corn, sour ant eggs, etc.) while watching.
- Craftsmanship Pavilion: Workshops on weaving "Machete Cloth" (plant-dyed handmade textiles), bamboo crafting, traditional brewing, and blacksmithing recreate traditional livelihoods.

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ℹ️ Travel Tips

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM, with frequent performances (e.g., 7 daily drum dance shows).

Ticket Prices: Approximately 160–260 RMB (includes "Youle Youle" performance and snacks).

Best Season: November to April, with cool and dry weather.

Transportation: 28 km east of Jinghong City. Drive via Kunluo Highway to Mengyang Town, then to Jino Mountain Township. The mountain roads are challenging; hiring a car or taxi is recommended.

Cultural Etiquette: Avoid touching sacred pillars in homes, do not wander off alone into the mountains, and respect traditions like birthing balconies and twin-related customs.

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