Trafficking and HIV/AIDS Project

Radio Soap Opera in Jingpo Language

supported by  

At the request of the Kachin people, UNESCO negotiated and agreed with the Yunnan People’s Broadcasting Station in Kunming, China, to jointly produce and broadcast a soap opera programme in the Jingpo language. Jingpo is the main language of the Kachin people in northern Myanmar and southwestern Yunnan Province.

 

Research, conducted by the radio station, UNESCO’s expert Dr. Heather Peters, and a team of local Jingpo researchers from the Development Institute for Tradition and Environment, provided the basis for the scripts of the drama “Life of Tragedies.” The drama, written by a well-known Jingpo author, was completed in February 2004.

 

In May and July 2004, UNESCO and the radio station presented the programme to several villages to test the response of the villagers. Contrary to initial concerns about Jingpo traditional modesty with regard to sexual matters, several older Jingpo women recommended that the language of the script be more direct so that the younger Jingpo would receive and understand the messages clearly.

 

The Asian Development Bank  featured the Jingpo radio programme and research in a short documentary about a few of the projects funded in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. The Jingpo radio programme is further highlighted in an article written for the ADB Review about HIV/AIDS.

 

The Story

“Life of Tragedies” tells the story of Ko San, a young Jingpo woman who leaves her village together with Gam Ja, her village sweetheart and fiancée, to start a small business in a nearby town. Tragically, Ko San contracts HIV/AIDS when she buys black market blood needed by her for an operation. The story treats her subsequent decision to hide her illness from her fiancée, family and friends. She even resolves to separate from her fiancée in order to protect him. She suffers for many months in silence before deciding to tell her family and friends that she contracted HIV/AIDS. The story shows how Ko San finds solace and acceptance among her friends and family after she finally tells them of her tragic and ultimately fatal illness. The story also considers the very real problem of IV drug use among young Jingpo men, coupled with the lack of HIV/AIDS knowledge among many of the young villagers.

 

Cassettes of the radio drama will be made available for community use in the villages after the broadcast.

 

Sample Script

Ko San, a young Jingpo girl, contracts HIV/AIDS through a blood transfusion. She breaks her engagement with Gam Ja and encourages him to marry another girl. In this tragic episode, Ko San finally finds the courage to tell her mother about her disease.

Ko San: (gathering courage) Mom, I want to tell you something very important, but you must not worry. Mom, I am not worthy of your affection. I am infected with HIV/AIDS.
Ko San’s mother: (not understanding) My daughter, what disease is this?
Ko San: HIV/AIDS.
Ko San’s mother: How serious is it?
Ko San: It is a terrible incurable disease.
            [high-pitched, dramatic music]
Ko San’s mother: (terrified) My daughter, when did …
Ko San: It was two years ago when I was running the shop in the town. Once I was seriously ill, and needed a blood transfusion.  I received it from a stranger, and that’s how I contracted HIV.
Ko San’s mother: Oh, God! But don’t be afraid, my child. No matter how much it will cost, we’ll have it cured.
Ko San: Mom, it has been quite some time. I didn’t dare to tell you in case you could not endure that. They say it’s an incurable disease.
Ko San’s mother: There can’t be any disease that is incurable.
Ko San: There is, mom. HIV/AIDS is a disease that can be passed on to members of the family. That’s why I made Cousin Gam Ja break up with me.
Ko San’s mother: (more worried) Oh, child, I didn’t expect you would do so.
         [sad music]
         [long silence]
Ko San: (crying out) Mom, it’s your daughter’s fate, a destined fate…
Ko San’s mother: (holding back sadness) Cheer up, child, it can’t be so terrifying.
Ko San: Mom, it is terrifying, especially when it becomes serious.
Ko San’s mother: It will be cured, child, and we’ll find you a husband!
Ko San: Mom, I don’t think about that now. I will stay with you for the rest of my life until my final day comes.
Ko San’s mother: We can also have your husband live with us. Child, you can never let other villagers know about this, and not your cousin Gam Ja.
Ko San: Mom, I already told him. Because he was very much concerned about me, and sister-in-law Bok Nan misunderstood us. I must tell others, or Cousin and Bok Nan’s marriage may come to an end.
        [sad and dramatic music]

 

Download sample sound file and script


Partner organizations:
Timeframe:
Funding:
Development Institute for Technology and Environment, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China’s Yunnan People’s Broadcasting Station, Yunnan Province, China
Sept. 2003 - Dec. 2004