Geographical Distribution of Jino Ethnic Minority

The Jino ethnic minority primarily resides in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), Yunnan Province, China, with Jinghong City (景洪市) being the largest settlement area. This group is known for its rich cultural traditions, including unique festivals like the Te Mao Ke Festival (特懋克节), which celebrates the use of iron tools, and the Tea Ancestor Ceremony (茶祖会), honoring Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) and ancient tea trees.

The Jino people maintain distinctive architectural styles, such as the long-house structure and the Jino Grand Drum Dance (基诺大鼓舞), which is a significant part of their cultural heritage. They also reside in villages like Baya Village (巴亚村) and Buyuan Village (补远村), each retaining traditional customs and practices.

Geographically, the Jino ethnic group is concentrated in Jino Mountain (基诺山), also known as Youle Mountain (攸乐山), home to some of the world’s oldest tea trees. The Si Jie Zhuo Mi (司杰卓米) or Kongming Mountain (孔明山) is considered the birthplace of the Jino people and holds a special place in their cultural and spiritual beliefs.

The Jino community is deeply connected to their land, maintaining agricultural traditions such as tea cultivation, rubber production, and cardamom farming. They continue to preserve their ancient customs, making the Jino people one of the most unique ethnic groups in Yunnan.

Core Distribution and Population Data

Main Settlements

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州): The core area of Jino ethnic population, accounting for more than 98% of the total Jino population in the province. The largest settlement is Jino Mountain Jino Ethnic Township (基诺山基诺族乡) in Jinghong City (景洪市).

Scattered Areas: In the districts of Mengwang, Mengyang, and Menghan (under the jurisdiction of Jinghong City), as well as Mengla County (勐腊县) including Menglun and Xiangming, there are small populations of Jino people.

Population Statistics

Total Population: 26,025 people (according to 2021 statistics), with 23,759 people living in Xishuangbanna.

Most Populous Area:

• Prefecture: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture

• City: Jinghong City (景洪市) – Jino Mountain Township (基诺山乡) has a registered population of 12,199 people, with 96.6% identifying as Jino.

• Township: Jino Mountain Jino Ethnic Township (基诺山基诺族乡) – The population here is 11,790, with a high percentage of Jino ethnic people.

Autonomous Administrative Division

Ethnic Township

Jino Mountain Jino Ethnic Township (基诺山基诺族乡) in Jinghong City (景洪市) is the only Jino ethnic township in China. It covers an area of 622.9 square kilometers and consists of 7 village committees and 46 natural villages, with Jino people making up 87%-97% of the population.

The economy is mainly based on the cultivation of rubber, tea, and cardamom, and it is known for its abundant ancient tea tree resources.

Distinctive Villages

Cultural Core Villages

Baya Village (巴亚村) – Located in Jino Mountain Township (基诺山乡), this village has a population of 2,589 people (as of 2021). It retains traditional long-house architecture and the Jino Grand Drum Dance (基诺大鼓舞).

Buyuan Village (补远村) – Located in Mengwang Township (勐旺乡), this village is inhabited by the Wu You sub-branch of the Jino people and retains the history of clan migration and ancestral worship practices.

Traditional Festival Locations

Te Mao Ke Festival (特懋克节) – Celebrated throughout Jino Mountain Township (基诺山乡), with Baya Village and Si Tu Lao Village (司土老寨) being the central celebration sites. This festival commemorates the use of iron tools.

Tea Ancestor Ceremony (茶祖会) – Held on the 23rd day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar in Jino Mountain Township (基诺山乡), this festival honors Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) and the ancient tea trees.

Notable Geographical Features

Jino Mountain (基诺山) – Also known as Youle Mountain (攸乐山)

It is one of the six ancient tea mountains in Pu’er (普洱). The area contains more than 6,000 acres of ancient tea trees, and the highest peak, Yanuo Mountain (亚诺山), stands at an elevation of 1,691 meters.

Si Jie Zhuo Mi (司杰卓米) – Also known as Kongming Mountain (孔明山)

This is the birthplace of the Jino people, with an elevation of 1,440 meters. It is considered the ancestral homeland, venerated by both the A Ha and A Xi sub-branches of the Jino people.