In the middle of the first month on the lunar calendar, the Jingpo people gather to form an extended line and file into the town square teeming with dancers. This is how they thank the natural world for its benevolence and pray for a bumper harvest. In mythology, the hornbill's performance brings song and dance to humanity. That is how the hornbill became the Jingpo culture's totem. To celebrate this generous courier, the lead dancer wears a hornbill headdress in honor of the bird's distinctive silhouette. Since time immemorial, the rainforest has witnessed the co-existence of humans and hornbills. As an animal under first-class state protection in China, the hornbill is known for its dazzling plumage and endangered population.

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Yunnan Dehong Series | Episode 1: Ode to nature

About 'Journeys in Nature': Yunnan Dehong Series

Yunnan Province in southwest China is one of the few regions in the country to feature tropical rainforests. The rich flora and fauna reserves have turned Yunnan into a hub for wildlife enthusiasts as well as academic researchers. Dehong Prefecture, sitting at the western end of Yunnan, is a land of lush mountains and fertile dales. Boasting both tropical and subtropical features, it is endowed with ample sunlight and heat. The mountains offer a haven for wildlife. In this series, CGTN Nature takes you to Dehong's wild world. 

(Cover image a video screenshot; video shot by CGTN Nature film crew)

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