Geographic Habitat: Jino Mountain Deep in Xishuangbanna
The Jino are the last recognized ethnic minority in China, hidden like a lost dream within Jino Mountain in the eastern part of Jinghong, Xishuangbanna. The rainforest here is dense, crisscrossed with ravines. The Jino build their wooden houses suspended above the damp earth, guarding the tranquil universe of their tribe under the cover of layered green leaves.
Historical Roots: Zhuge Liang’s Lost Hat and the Custom of Revering Uncles
The Jino call themselves the “descendants of the uncle,” preserving strong remnants of a matriarchal society and customs of revering maternal uncles. Legend says they were soldiers who fell behind during Zhuge Liang’s southern campaign, named after the hat he bestowed upon them. The sunburst patterns embroidered on the back of the men’s white vests seem like a hidden homage to their ancient origins, carrying a profound sense of historical melancholy and romanticism.
Spiritual Totem: The Creation Code Within the Sun Drum
The Sun Drum is the most sacred artifact of the Jino, symbolizing their creator goddess “Amo Yaobei,” who bestowed life upon them. This drum is kept hidden on ordinary days and is only brought out during the grandest “Temaoke Festival.” When its deep, earth-shaking beats resonate deep in the rainforest, the Jino dance around the drum. This is not just a ritual praying for a good harvest, but the life manifesto of this mysterious people, declaring their ceaseless existence.