A photo of Jingpo marriage in 1984, photo taken by Yanhe. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Jingpo ethnic group

The Jingpo people live in mountainous regions in Yunnan province at altitudes of 1,500-2,000 meters (4,900-6,500 feet), where they enjoy the fruits of nature - with abundant resources including crops, wood, fruit, wildlife, as well as minerals. In the forests surrounding the Jingpo villages, there are also many medicinal herbs which doctors can use to treat patients.

Nearly all the people are natural artisans - they are skilled at painting, carving, weaving and embroidering. Themes of their paintings are related to their traditional religious beliefs, while fabric is embroidered with patterns of some of the more than 300 kinds of the flowers. Girls are especially skilled at embroidering handkerchiefs which they give to their lovers as gifts.