Fascinating World: Hainan Island - Interview with Fiori Picco

 

Fascinating World

Hainan Island – China’s Hawaii

 

Interview with Fiori Picco

 

 

by Maria Teresa De Donato

 

  

 

Dear friends, today, for my Fascinating World Column, I have the pleasure of once again hosting my friend and colleague, Author, Sinologist, Publisher, and Translator, Fiori Picco. This time, however, we won’t be discussing one of her publications; instead, we’ll share her knowledge of China, the country where Fiori lived for 8 years.

 

I wish you all a happy reading!

 

 

MTDD: Hello, Fiori, and welcome. I’m delighted to have you here today on my blog and virtual cultural lounge.

 

FP: Thank you, Maria Teresa, for the invitation. It’s a pleasure to be your guest.

 

 

MTDD: Fiori, as I mentioned in the introduction, today we won’t be talking about your books; instead, we’ll be taking a virtual trip to China, a country you know very well.

 

Where exactly are you taking us?

 

FP: I thought I’d show you Hainan Island, also known as China’s Hawaii.

 

 

MTDD: Great! What can you tell us about this island?

 

FP: Hainan Island, with its capital in Haikou, was part of Guangdong from 1950 to 1988, after which it regained its independence and was almost immediately made the largest Special Economic Zone by Deng Xiaoping.

 

It is made up of several islands, the largest of which is called Hainan (Hainan Dao), hence the name of the province (when speaking of Hainan in China, the island is usually referred to). This island is located in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam. It is about a third larger than Sicily. Of volcanic origin, it has low beaches characterized by fine white sand, and inland, lush, subtropical vegetation that is essentially intact.

Hainan was originally connected to the northeastern part of present-day Vietnam. A southeasterly drift that began after the Mesozoic Era (60 million years ago) brought it to its current position near China.

 

 

MTDD: Very interesting. At one point, when discussing China in reference to your literary works, you highlighted that the country is characterized by numerous ethnic groups, all held in high regard and supported by the Government.

 

What ethnic groups do we encounter on this island, and which one do you want to talk about specifically today?

 

FP: The ethnic groups present on this island are the Han, the Li, the Miao, and the Zhuang. Today I would like to focus on the Li. Among the indigenous peoples are the Li people, who speak a Tai-Kadai language (Indochinese dialect). It is believed that their ancestors settled on the island at least 2,000 to 6,000 years ago; research has also revealed that they carry genetic markers from ancient populations who arrived on the island between 7,000 and 27,000 years ago.

 

 

MTDD: What would you recommend to anyone visiting Hainan Island, and why?

 

FP: Among the most famous places on Hainan are Yalong Bay and Sanya Bay, with splendid resorts, nature, and water sports; Lu Huitou Park, or Turning Deer Park, linked to an ancient legend; “End of the Earth” beach, where enormous rocks on the sand create an apocalyptic landscape; Nanshan Temple, which stands on an artificial island and is topped by a massive statue of a Bodhisattva; Phoenix Island, or the Dubai of the East; Wuzhizhou, or Coral Island; and Monkey Island, which can be reached by cable car.

 

 

MTDD: What can you tell us about the cuisine and any typical local products?

 

FP: Coconut is the basic ingredient of the cuisine; it and its milk are used to make gummy candies and fruit salads. Among the most delicious dishes is coconut chicken. The fish, shellfish, and mussels are incredibly fresh and can be purchased at the market, right on the beach, where they are then delivered to expert chefs who cook in front of you in the typical open-air restaurants.

 

Typical products include Xinlong coffee and betel nut schnapps. The fruit is tropical: mangosteen, rambutan, durian, pita, and dragon fruit.

 

 

MTDD: Are there any other interesting aspects of this island you’d like to share with our readers?

 

FP: Gladly. Hainan is also the kingdom of pearls (black, pink, purple, lilac, and white), which are used to make excellent beauty creams.

 

Another noteworthy aspect is the craftsmanship, which includes coconut and mother-of-pearl inlays: veritable sculptures and decorative bas-reliefs. The typical pottery is produced by the Li people, an ethnic group that lives predominantly in the Areca Valley, also known as the Valley of the Betel Nuts. A particular custom of this ethnic minority is playing the flute with the nose. The Li are dedicated to the production of grappa and the weaving of brocade. In their villages, the houses are upside-down boats.

 

 

MTDD: Is there anything unique about this ethnic group that perhaps not everyone knows?

 

FP: Yes, there is. A tradition of the Li people and other ethnic minorities in China is to build a “lovers’ house.” When a girl reaches adolescence (15 or 16 years old), her parents build her a small house next to theirs or a short distance away, where she moves to sleep and have romantic encounters. For lunch and dinner, she returns to her parents’ house, while for the rest of the day and at night, she stays in the little house where she can entertain her boyfriend. First, the young man courts her and declares his love. Then they exchange gifts to formalize their relationship. Finally, they sleep together in the little house.

 

 

MTDD: Fascinating. What else might interest those who wish to visit this island one day?

 

FP: Hainan Island is also known for its puppet theater, a type of Chinese opera that originated in the Yuan era (during the Mongol occupation) and is very similar to Peking Opera. It boasts over 20 types of medium- and large-sized puppets held on sticks. An orchestra of traditional instruments accompanies them.

 

 

MTDD: Thank you, Fiori, for bringing us to this Chinese island, which we hope to visit one day.

 

I look forward to seeing you again to talk about cooking, so you can also teach us how to make the coconut chicken you mentioned earlier.

 

FP: Thank you, Maria Teresa. I’d love that. It will be a pleasure to share my knowledge of Chinese cuisine with your readers.