The Jing People

The Jing live on the three islands of Wanwei, Wutou, and Shanxin in the Fangcheng Multi-National Autonomous County (established in 1958) in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region near the Vietnam border. These islands are known as the "Three Islands of the Jings." The Jings descend from Vietnamese who emigrated during the 16th century. Their language is basically the same as the Vietnamese. They originally called themselves "Viets." They can read and write in Chinese, speaking the Cantonese dialect.

The area where they live is subtropical with plenty of rainfall and rich mineral resources. Some of these minerals are iron, monazite, titanium, magnetite, and silica. Their land is north of the Beibu Gulf which contains 700 different species of fish, pearls, sea horses, and sea otters. Seawater from the gulf is used to make salt.

The Jing fish primarily and farm secondarily. They are uniquely known for fishing with fish fences, a V-shaped funnel that catches fish and shrimp with the ebb of a high tide. They are monogamous with arranged marriages. Their houses are built of stone, bricks, and tiles. Their diet consists of rice, sweet potatoes, taros, corn, fish, shrimps and crabs, as well as papaya, banana and longan. The Jing are also known for making fish juice, a delicacy served to guests.

Spiritually, many Jing practice Taoism. "In times of birth, old age, illness and death, or when natural and man-made calamities occur, the Jings usually ask a Taoist priest to say a Taoist mass to drive out demons and to bless them." Some also practice Catholicism and Buddhism.

Their celebrations include the Lunar New Year (the Spring Festival), the Pure Brightness Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Ha Festival is of particular note. "It is said that about seven or eight hundred years ago a singer goddess came to the three Jing islands. By her singing, she led the people in their struggle against the local feudal lords. Although she was killed in the struggle, her melodious songs were deeply impressed on the hearts of the people." The Ha Festival commemorates her with singing. It is held either on the twenty-fifth day of the first lunar month or on the tenth day of the sixth month, or on the tenth day of the eighth month. Three people, one "Ha brother" and two "Ha sisters", sing. The brother plays the accompaniment on an instrument while the sisters take turns singing. Prayers to gods and ancestors along with bullfighting also take place during the festival.

With the modernization of China has come the modernization of the Jing. Many young people now prefer Western clothing as opposed to the traditional tight-fitting, collarless short blouse and black or brown trousers that women wear, or the long jackets of the men. "I like to wear Western suits because they make me look smart and like a city dweller," said one young man. Likewise, their living conditions have improved allowing more to watch television and visit the mainland than previously.