A Qiangmu Dance of Gongkar Chode Monastery in Gonggar County, Shannan

Gongkar Chö Monastery or Gongkar Chode Monastery in Gonggar County  is located on a hill top cliff in the Gongkar valley on the southern side of the Tsangpo River(雅鲁藏布江), on the Lhasa Gonggar Airport road to the south of the main road, 75 kilometres from Lhasa.

The A Qiangmu Dance （曲德寺阿羌姆 from Gongkar Chode Monastery (贡嘎曲德寺) in Gonggar County (贡嘎县), Shannan (山南), Tibet, is a traditional religious dance that has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. With a history spanning over 500 years, the dance is an important aspect of the cultural and spiritual practices at the monastery, showcasing both the artistic and religious richness of Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

History and Origins

The A Qiangmu Dance originated in Gongkar Chode Monastery in 1464, created by Zongba Gongga Langjie (宗巴贡嘎朗杰). This makes the dance over 500 years old. Initially developed as a religious performance, the A Qiangmu Dance was designed to honor deities and invoke blessings for the community. Over the centuries, it has remained a vital part of the monastery’s annual religious celebrations, with its unique movements and cultural significance being passed down through generations.

Cultural Characteristics

The A Qiangmu Dance is typically performed twice a year at Gongkar Chode Monastery:

  • The first performance is held on the 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, during the monastery’s “Qujui Duiji” (曲追堆庆) festival, a religious celebration.

  • The second performance takes place on the 30th day of the second month of the Tibetan lunar calendar during the “Cuoqu Sibang” (措曲斯蚌), also known as the “Offering Jewel Ceremony”, held in Lhasa (拉萨).

Performance Details

The dance is performed by a group of 16 dancers, with an additional cymbal player providing musical accompaniment. The dancers do not wear masks, but instead, they paint their faces with black face paint. The dance does not follow a complex narrative or storyline but instead focuses on the powerful and majestic movements of the dancers.

A defining feature of the dance is the large drum that each dancer carries on their back, as they perform while striking the drum in rhythmic patterns. The drums are heavy and require strength to carry, adding to the gravity and solemnity of the performance. The dancers move primarily in two formations: a clockwise circular motion and a vertical line formation. The dance also features a segment where two dancers perform a duet drum dance, showcasing their synchronized movements and strength.

Cultural Significance and Beliefs

The A Qiangmu Dance is believed to bring peace and prosperity to the community, ensuring good weather, family harmony, and protection from natural disasters and other misfortunes. Locals believe that the performance has the power to ward off evil and bring blessings to those who participate.

As with other sacred Tibetan dances, the A Qiangmu Dance is not performed casually. It is considered a privileged ritual that can only be performed by designated individuals at specific times and places. The dance is strictly confined to the monastery’s religious festivals and is not to be taught to outsiders.

Preservation and Protection

On October 31, 2023, the A Qiangmu Dance was officially included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects Protection List, ensuring its continued preservation and transmission. The Gongkar Chode Monastery Management Committee (贡嘎曲德寺管理委员会) is responsible for overseeing the safeguarding of this cultural treasure, and their efforts have been evaluated as meeting the necessary standards for heritage protection.

This recognition ensures that the dance will be preserved for future generations, both as a cultural expression and as a key element of Tibet’s religious and artistic traditions.