Qiangmu
01 · Historical Records
This heritage project is transmitted in Jiba and Gongri, the two Menba ethnic townships of Cuona County in Shannan Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region (renamed Cuona City in 2023), and extends to the Menba ethnic townships of Le, Mama and others. According to relevant documentary records, the Menba Ba Cham originated in the fifteenth century and has a history of more than 500 years.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
The Menba Ba Cham is a masked religious dance transmitted among the Menba people. Before the Ba Cham is danced, the qiangben (instructor and organizer) of the "Ba Cham" first collects nine bowls of wheat from each performer to make wine, and also collects tsampa, meat and other food. The qiangben then takes a khata and two old Tibetan silver coins (zhang ga ga bu) to the station of the official in charge of Le Bu and obtains permission to perform the "Ba Cham". The official will say: "You may perform, but the wine must be drunk in moderation, you must not cause trouble, and you must get on with one another. After obtaining the official's permission, the qiangben takes a khata in his hand and goes on to the nearby villages of Mama, Gongri, Simu and others to distribute alms. Then the people choose an auspicious day to hold the Ba Cham activities outside Jiba Zagalakang and the Bairi Temple of Gongri, making offerings to the deities and to the water dragon that is called "lu". At the same time, led by the old man Wujin Quzeng, the people also hold a ceremony in which offerings are made to the deer god. The custom of making offerings to the deer exists because people are grateful to the deer. In former times, people's understanding of natural phenomena was limited, and so the custom of sacrificing to sacred lakes arose. At the time of the sacrifice there is also the custom of chanting the "Cuosuo" (scripture for offering to lakes), the "Zansuo" (scripture for offering to the god of the land), the "Jisuo" (scripture for offering to the protector deity) and the "Lusuo" (scripture for offering to the water dragon). The offerings differ according to the object of sacrifice. The Menba Ba Cham mainly presents the story of the twelve zodiac animals together with the gods driving demons down into hell, and of the Menba people's struggle against nature; it comprises eight dance segments, and in former times could be performed for three days. The Menba Ba Cham is a folk art imbued with strong religious and humanistic colour in the history and culture of the Menba people; it expresses the inner spirit of the Menba people — their longing for freedom, their striving upward, and their diligence and wisdom in long-term production and life.
The chambon's petition and alms round
The chambon collects nine bowls of wheat as wine plus tsampa and meat, seeks leave with a scarf and two old silver coins, and then tours the neighbouring villages for alms.
The Jiba and Gongri schools
By place of performance the Menba cham divides into the Jiba and the Gongri schools, held respectively at Jibazaga Lhakhang and outside Gongri Pelri monastery.
Lake, deer and the four ritual sutras
Rites recite the Lake, Earth-spirit, Protector and Naga sutras with differing offerings, and a deer-offering led by an elder thanks the animal for its help.
Eight scenes of the zodiac driving out demons
The cham enacts the twelve zodiac animals joining the gods to drive demons to hell, comprising eight scenes that could once be played over three days.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
By the place where it is held, the Menba Ba Cham is divided into two schools, the "Jiba Ben Cham" and the "Gongri Yi Cham". In the valleys of the Le Bu area there are distributed a number of natural lakes, and changes in the water conditions of these lakes bear directly on the life and safety of the Menba people.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Shigatse Zhashenlunbusiqiangmu · Qiangmu · Qiangmu · Qiangmu · Qiangmu · Qiangmu · Qiangmu.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
This heritage project is transmitted through masters teaching their apprentices. In recent years the cultural and tourism departments at all levels have carried out work to excavate, transmit and promote the Menba Ba Cham, and considerable progress has also been made in cultivating successor talent. Protecting and transmitting this heritage project plays a certain role in promoting and developing Menba culture, enriching the cultural life of the local people, and building a harmonious society.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Lama Ciren 02-0377
- Lama Mima 02-0378
- Baimaqunjiu 04-1565
- Tudanqunpei 04-1566
- Zhaxi 05-2232
- Ciyang 05-2233
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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