Ruixin ZhangVisual journalist
PHOTOJOURNALISMPROP ROOTS

Jingpo Children Are Branching Out With Their Own ‘Prop Roots’

Finalist for New York Times Photo Essay Contest (2024)View published version (condensed)
Prop Roots children gather around a large banyan tree.

As the moon ascended above the countryside, a group of people aged 3 to 26 trekked up an empty mountain road. Amid the cricket chirps and peals of laughter, the little children wove between trudging adult legs, pulling on the arms of eager friends.

At dawn, they reached a banyan tree over 20 meters tall and 10 meters wide. Clinging to old vines, these kids weren’t scared at all. With a push, they clambered up! They started exploring every hole with the older children watching below.

They’re from Prop Roots, a nongovernmental organization co-founded by Li Yang and her husband, Dr. Anton Lustig, in the Yingpan village in Yunnan Province, China, in 2009. This village, located on the border with Myanmar, is home to the local Jingpo ethnic group. It is a beautiful area, but it is plagued by violence and other dangerous factors.

“Kids here need career anchors,” Li said. “Instead of vulnerability, I hope they see their unique advantages and abilities given by their distinct ethnic culture and nature.” To date, Prop Roots has served over 200 children, teaching them to paint, photograph and even perform Jingpo folklore puppet shows — anything related to their passion.

“Even playing ducks and drakes well gives you a sense of accomplishment,” one member, Nongkan Pai, explained.

“Although we had squabbles and conflicts, I am glad you have got the nerve to step over your fear,” Lustig(right) says to Chenbang (center-left), handing him a Jingpo long sword at his surprise coming-of-age birthday party. The sword symbolizes how the youth now has the power to fight through life.
“Although we had squabbles and conflicts, I am glad you have got the nerve to step over your fear,” Lustig(right) says to Chenbang (center-left), handing him a Jingpo long sword at his surprise coming-of-age birthday party. The sword symbolizes how the youth now has the power to fight through life.Ruixin Zhang
Jiafeng Sun played with rocks at Longjiang River. On her face is a thin layer of yellowish paste called “Thanaka,” a distinctive feature of Jingpo aesthetic culture that symbolizes spiritual well being, elegance and a shared identity. In her free time, Jiafeng learns Henna drawing, seen in the intricate designs along her leg.
Jiafeng Sun played with rocks at Longjiang River. On her face is a thin layer of yellowish paste called “Thanaka,” a distinctive feature of Jingpo aesthetic culture that symbolizes spiritual well being, elegance and a shared identity. In her free time, Jiafeng learns Henna drawing, seen in the intricate designs along her leg.Ruixin Zhang
Instead of a sheet of strict rules, the children abide by the words of the “Kitchen God” while cooking in this shared kitchen. This Kitchen God, made by the Prop Roots family together, represents the caring, warm souls of the Prop Roots community. It’s also an embodiment of Jingpo animalistic beliefs.
Instead of a sheet of strict rules, the children abide by the words of the “Kitchen God” while cooking in this shared kitchen. This Kitchen God, made by the Prop Roots family together, represents the caring, warm souls of the Prop Roots community. It’s also an embodiment of Jingpo animalistic beliefs.Ruixin Zhang
The community shares the “Green-leaf Banquet” that everyone spent the morning preparing together. Dishes with different potherbs–wild lemongrass pork chops, “Ghost Chicken”, century egg salad–are placed upon banana leaves. The banquet shows Jingpo people’s gratitude to nature.
The community shares the “Green-leaf Banquet” that everyone spent the morning preparing together. Dishes with different potherbs–wild lemongrass pork chops, “Ghost Chicken”, century egg salad–are placed upon banana leaves. The banquet shows Jingpo people’s gratitude to nature.Ruixin Zhang
On Karaoke nights, when the music switched from a 2010s American Pop to a Jingpo "Munaozongge" song, the group grabs the closest objects to them and dance with the rhythms. "Munaozongge" is the biggest primitive ritual here and was danced before battle or to pray for rain in ancient times.
On Karaoke nights, when the music switched from a 2010s American Pop to a Jingpo "Munaozongge" song, the group grabs the closest objects to them and dance with the rhythms. "Munaozongge" is the biggest primitive ritual here and was danced before battle or to pray for rain in ancient times.Ruixin Zhang
Skipping rocks along the riverside is a common activity at Prop Roots. With the backing of Prop Roots, kids here have the courage to “skip further” and go for their dreams.
Skipping rocks along the riverside is a common activity at Prop Roots. With the backing of Prop Roots, kids here have the courage to “skip further” and go for their dreams.Ruixin Zhang