Gin Ethnic Group

Chang Ha Festival of Gin Ethnic Group

Chang Ha Festival of Gin Ethnic Group

Chang Ha Festival of Gin Ethnic Group

Chang Ha Festival of Gin Ethnic Group

Chang Ha Festival of Gin Ethnic Group

Chang Ha Festival of Gin Ethnic Group

The Jing ethnic group (京族) is the only marine ethnic minority in China, with a total population of 33,112 as of 2020. Their ancestors migrated from Tushan, Vietnam (越南涂山) and surrounding areas in the early 16th century. The group was officially named Jing in 1958.

The Jing language belongs to the Kra branch of the Sino-Tibetan family, and features an ancient script called Nanzi (喃字), though modern writing primarily uses Chinese characters (汉文).

Core cultural features include Ha Festival (哈节), one-string zither (独弦琴), stilts fishing (高跷捕鱼), bamboo pole dance (竹竿舞), and marine agriculture, making the Jing people key contributors to Beibu Gulf (北部湾) marine culture.

Population Distribution

Core Provinces (2020 Census)

• Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区): 32,000 Jing, 96.6% of total, concentrated in Dongxing City (东兴市), Fangchenggang (防城港市) – core area called the “Jing Three Islands (京族三岛)”: Wanwei (万尾), Wutou (巫头), Shanjin/Shanxin (山心).
• Guizhou (贵州): 1,340 Jing, 4.05%, scattered in Qiannan & Qianxinan.
• Yunnan (云南): 1,030 Jing, 3.11%, scattered in Wenshan & Honghe border areas.
• Other Provinces: small populations (~740) in Guangdong, Hainan, Beijing, etc.

Core Counties / Cities (Fangchenggang)

• Dongxing City (东兴市): 16,000 Jing, 12% of city population, 48% of national population (Jing Three Islands).
• Fangcheng District (防城区): ~2,000 Jing, 0.8%, scattered in Jiangshan Town (江山镇) & Maoling Town (茅岭镇).
• Shangsi County (上思县): ~500 Jing, 0.2%, mixed with Zhuang.

Core Townships (>80% Jing Population)

• Jiangping Town (江平镇, Dongxing): 15,500 Jing, 85% (entire Jing Three Islands).
• Wanwei Village (万尾村 / 𬇕尾村): 6,800 Jing, 92% (core cultural sites: Golden Beach (金滩), Jing Museum).
• Wutou Village (巫头村): 5,500 Jing, 98% (China Traditional Village, Ha Pavilion (哈亭) core).
• Shanxin Village (山心村): 3,200 Jing, 90% (Shanxin Island, Ha Festival main venue).
• Dongxing Town (东兴镇): ~500 Jing, 1.2%, scattered in urban area.

Traditional Culture

Traditional Clothing

Marine style, simple and flowing, mostly blue-black.

• Women: Collarless short jackets + wide trousers, white/pink long outer coats, conical hats, silver earrings & neck rings, sleeves embroidered with wave patterns.
• Men: Collarless short jackets + wide shorts, black headwrap, colorful sash at waist, barefoot or wooden clogs – convenient for working at sea.

Traditional Houses (Stilt / Ganlan Houses)

• Coastal stilt houses adapted for humid, typhoon-prone climates.
• Two levels: ground floor ventilated for livestock, upper floor for living; roof thatched or tiled; walls bamboo, wood, or brick.
• Villages face the sea; each home has drying terraces and fishing gear sheds.

Marriage Customs

• Monogamy, forbidden to marry within the same surname.
• Proposal: Male brings fish sauce, glutinous rice wine, seafood to female’s family.
• Engagement: Silver ornaments, conical hat, cloth; engagement feast includes seafood & Ha songs.
• Wedding: Held in Ha Pavilion or home; bamboo pole dance, one-string zither, dishes include wind-blown cakes & seafood porridge; post-marriage residence varies.

Etiquette & Taboos

• Serve fish sauce, glutinous rice wine, grilled shrimp to guests; guests sit at the top seat; remove shoes indoors.
• Forbidden: stepping on boats, nets, or fishing tools; speaking inauspicious words near the sea; damaging mangroves or tidal flats.
• During Ha Festival: no loud noises or quarrels; women cannot board fishing boats or participate in certain rituals.
• Do not point with toes or cross the hearth; avoid whistling indoors (believed to summon strong winds).

Religion

• Nature Worship (Core): Sea god, Dragon King, sun & moon, mangrove spirits; Ha Festival focuses on marine rituals & thanksgiving to the sea.
• Ancestor Worship: Ancestral shrines at home; offerings during festivals include seafood, glutinous rice wine, and Nanzi scriptures.
• Taoism / Buddhism: Influenced by Han culture; some villages maintain temples dedicated to Guanyin, Mazu, or Earth God; syncretic practices with marine worship.
• Catholicism (Minority): Jiangping Town has a small Catholic community.

Traditional Festivals

1. Ha Festival (Ha Jie, 哈节, National Intangible Heritage)
   • Dates: Lunar June 10 (Wanwei / Wutou), Lunar August 10 (Shanxin), Lunar Jan 15 (Hongkan).
   • Core: Worship sea god, celebrate harvest, pray for safety.
   • Activities: Welcoming & sending gods, Ha Feast (Ha Yan), singing Ha songs, Ha dance, bamboo pole dance, one-string zither, thousands of participants, seafood dishes for all households.
2. Spring Festival
   • Lunar New Year, 15 days; farewell to old, pray for abundant fishing, worship ancestors; includes Nanzi couplets, staying up, seafood hotpot, bamboo pole dance, one-string zither.
3. Zhongyuan Festival (Lunar July 15)
   • Ancestor worship, soul release, thanksgiving.
   • Activities: Glutinous rice dishes, chicken & duck sacrifice, paper clothes & boats sent to sea.
4. New Rice Festival (Lunar October 10)
   • Celebrate first harvest; offerings to Field God (田头公); family tasting of new rice with seafood & glutinous rice wine.
5. Open Sea Festival (Modern, August)
   • Celebrate end of fishing ban, pray for safe & fruitful voyages.
   • Activities: Sea rituals, boat races, seafood markets, folk performances.

Cultural Arts

1. One-String Zither (独弦琴, National Intangible Heritage)
   • Unique instrument with ethereal tones mimicking sea waves & bird calls.
   • Performed during Ha Festival; signature pieces: High Mountains and Flowing Water, Jing Fisherman’s Song.
2. Ha Song / Ha Dance (National Intangible Heritage)
   • Ha Song: A cappella polyphonic songs in Nanzi; narrate marine legends, fishing history, love stories.
   • Ha Dance: Collective dance, mimics fishing, rowing, and waves; core festival performance.
3. Bamboo Pole Dance (竹竿舞)
   • Two people manipulate poles, dancers leap and weave through; performed at festivals and receptions; symbolizes exorcism & prosperity.
4. Nanzi Script (喃字)
   • Ancient script used for Ha songs, scriptures, genealogies; now preserved mostly by elders; displayed in museums.
5. Stilts Fishing (高跷捕鱼, Intangible Heritage)
   • Unique method of fishing in shallow sea waters; recognized as Guangxi-level intangible heritage; showcases marine ingenuity.

Cuisine (Marine Flavors: Fresh, Fragrant, Savory)

• Staples: Rice, glutinous rice; fish sauce as key seasoning.
• Signature Dishes: Jing fish sauce (liquid gold), wind-blown cake (thin crispy rice cake), lemongrass grilled fish, banana leaf-wrapped seafood, sour bamboo shoot fish, shrimp paste stir-fried squid, boiled shrimp & crab.
• Snacks / Side Dishes: Jing rice noodles, glutinous rice cakes, seafood porridge, grilled glutinous rice, fried shrimp cakes, coconut glutinous rice.
• Drinks: Glutinous rice wine, seafood wine, roasted tea, coconut water, sour tea.

Cultural & Tourism Attractions

Museums & Cultural Centers

• Dongxing Jing Museum (东兴京族博物馆, Wanwei Village): China’s only Jing-themed museum; exhibits clothing, Nanzi, fishing tools, Ha Festival relics, one-string zither; scheduled performances.
• Jing Ecological Museum (京族生态博物馆, Wutou Village): Live museum; reconstructed stilt houses, Ha Pavilion, fishing workshops; hands-on experiences like net weaving & Nanzi writing.
• Jiangping Town Cultural Station (江平镇): Displays Jing folk artifacts, old photos, intangible heritage records; free entry.

Scenic Spots

• Jing Islands Scenic Area (京岛风景名胜区, National 4A): 37 km²; core: Wanwei Golden Beach (万尾金滩); includes Ha Pavilion, Wanhe Mountain Wetlands, mangroves, coastal defense markers.
• Wanwei Golden Beach: Golden sand, clear water, swimming, surfing, beach camping; dense seaside homestays & seafood stalls.
• Wutou Ha Pavilion: Largest Ha Pavilion; wooden structure with carvings; Ha Festival main venue; ancestral & sea god worship.
• Wanhe Mountain Coastal Wetland Park: Mangrove habitat, white herons & grey cranes; birdwatching, hiking, photography.
• Jiaodong Shell Mound Site (交东贝丘遗址, Jiangping): Neolithic site with oyster shell piles; fishing tools found; important heritage site.

Traditional Villages & Notable Jing Villages

• Wutou Village: 98% Jing, preserved stilt houses & Ha Pavilion, active stilts fishing & one-string zither.
• Wanwei Village: 92% Jing, combines modern homes with Ha Pavilion, hosts Jing Museum, cultural square & seafood markets.
• Shanxin Village: 90% Jing, pristine village, Ha Pavilion, beach; Ha Festival main venue; excellent for eco-cultural experience.
• Hongkan Village: 60% Jing, mixed village; Lunar Jan 15 Ha Festival.
• Tanji Village: 40% Jing, ancient fishing village; Ming & Qing docks, seafood processing heritage.

Ancient Towns

• Jiangping Ancient Town (江平古镇, Dongxing): Only Jing ancient town; Ming & Qing coastal defense town, Tea-Horse Road station; preserved old streets, arcades, Catholic church, Jing cultural corridor.
• Dongxing Ancient Town (东兴古镇): Sino-Vietnam border town; Jing, Han & Zhuang; old streets, port, French-style buildings, Jing shops.

Travel Guide

Best Time to Visit

• June: Ha Festival & Open Sea Season – Wanwei / Wutou Ha Festival (Lunar June 10); fresh seafood; strong folk atmosphere.
• August: Shanxin Ha Festival (Lunar Aug 10); summer beach & sunset; ideal for coastal vacation.
• Oct–Nov: Comfortable climate, abundant seafood, fewer tourists; ideal for ancient village hikes & cultural exploration.
• Dec–Feb: Dry season; birdwatching, mangrove walks, one-string zither experience; warm winter retreat.

Classic 3-Day Deep Route (Jing Three Islands + Jiangping Ancient Town)

Day 1: Arrive Dongxing → Jiangping Ancient Town (old streets, Catholic church, cultural corridor) → Wutou Village (traditional village, Ha Pavilion, stilts fishing experience) → stay at Wutou homestay.

Day 2: Wutou Village → Wanwei Village (Jing Museum, Golden Beach, one-string zither performance) → Wanhe Mountain Wetlands (birdwatching, mangrove walk) → stay at Wanwei homestay.

Day 3: Wanwei Village → Shanxin Village (pristine village, Ha Pavilion, beach walk) → Jiaodong Shell Mound Site → departure.

Unique Folk Experiences

• Intangible Heritage: Net weaving, Nanzi writing, wind-blown cakes, fish sauce brewing, one-string zither lessons.
• Dance & Music: Ha singing, Ha dance, bamboo pole dance, one-string zither (learnable in museums/villages).
• Festival Participation: Ha Festival, Open Sea rituals, Spring Festival bamboo pole dance.
• Marine Activities: Stilts fishing, tidal flat shell digging, offshore fishing, Golden Beach surfing/swimming.
• Cultural Exploration: Ha Pavilion rituals, Nanzi scriptures, Jing Ecological Museum learning.

Travel Tips

• Religious Etiquette: Remove shoes in Ha Pavilion; modest clothing; do not touch sacred objects; no loud noise or unauthorized photography during Ha Festival.
• Respect Local Customs: Ask before photographing villagers; enter homes only when invited; do not step on boats, nets, or tidal flats; women avoid some rituals.
• Clothing: Lightweight breathable clothes; sun protection; non-slip shoes for village hiking; long pants/skirts for pavilion visits.
• Food Tips: Jing cuisine is fresh and salty; fish sauce & shrimp paste unique; sensitive stomachs should notify; consume seafood fresh; try insect-based dishes cautiously.
• Environmental Care: Protect ocean, mangroves, heritage buildings; no littering; do not pick wild plants or feed animals; follow “do not damage ecosystem” principles on tidal flats.