Ba Qiangmu Dance of Monba Ethnic Minority in Cona County, Shannan

The Ba Qiangmu Dance (门巴族拔羌姆) is a traditional ritual dance performed by the Monba ethnic group (门巴族) in Cona County (错那县), Shannan (山南), Tibet. Recognized as an important part of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage, it was officially listed in the Fourth Batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects by the State Council in 2014 (Project No. III-22). This dance has its roots in the 15th century and is centered around themes of evil spirits exorcism and blessing rituals. The dance includes elements such as the representation of the 12 zodiac animals and deities subduing demons, and its complete performance can last up to three days.

Origin and Development

The Ba Qiangmu Dance is believed to have originated in the 15th century in the areas where the Monba ethnic group resides, particularly in Jiba (吉巴) and Gongri (贡日), which are ethnic villages in Cona County (错那县). The dance evolved alongside the local worship of nature and the spread of Buddhism, integrating these cultural elements into a unique set of ritual practices. Over more than 500 years, the dance developed its distinctive format and became an essential cultural tradition for the Monba people.

Today, the dance exists in two primary branches: Jiba Ben Qiangmu (吉巴本羌姆) and Gongri Yo Qiangmu (贡日唷羌姆), both of which are performed in Cona County and neighboring ethnic villages.

Performance Features

Narrative and Structure

The dance is performed in a symbolic narrative format, focusing on the battle between deities and evil spirits, as well as the relationship between humankind and nature. The key elements of the performance include:

Representation of the 12 Zodiac Animals: The dance uses animal costumes to represent the concept of reincarnation in the Chinese zodiac.

Dance Segments: The complete performance is divided into 8 distinct segments, including:

• Purification of the Ritual Ground (净坛)

• Invocation of Gods (请神)

• Subduing Demons (镇魔)

The performance also integrates chants from the “Cuo Suo” (措索) and “Zan Suo” (赞索) texts, which are recited during key moments to further enhance the spiritual significance.

Role of Masks and Instruments

Masks: The dance features strict adherence to ritual protocols, with each character wearing a specific mask that corresponds to the role they play in the performance. The masks are carefully colored to reflect the spiritual symbolism of the characters.

Instruments: The music accompanying the dance includes sacred religious instruments such as the Dharmic horn (法号), cymbals (钹), and drums (鼓), all of which are integral to the rhythm and intensity of the performance.

Cultural Significance

The Ba Qiangmu Dance serves as a spiritual, social, and artistic symbol for the Monba ethnic group. It holds three distinct layers of value:

Religious Significance

The dance is a means of honoring and invoking local nature spirits, such as the god of lakes and land deities, reinforcing the Monba people’s deep-rooted connection to their environment and ecological beliefs.

Social Role

As an annual performance, the Ba Qiangmu Dance strengthens ethnic identity among the Monba people and promotes social unity within the community. The Khata offering ceremony (哈达布施), which is often part of the ritual, plays a significant role in fostering community bonding and collective well-being.

Artistic Expression

The exaggerated movements and the chanting of sacred texts combine to create a complex performance form that reflects the unique aesthetic tastes of the Monba people. The performance is not only a religious act but also a cultural celebration of their artistic values.

Inheritance and Protection

The Ba Qiangmu Dance follows a traditional teacher-apprentice (师徒制) transmission system. In the 21st century, there have been systematic efforts to preserve and protect this important cultural practice:

Systematic Documentation

Since 2006, there has been an extensive survey of intangible cultural heritage in the region, which included the recording and documentation of the performance techniques and musical scores used in the Ba Qiangmu Dance.

Legal Protection

In 2019, the Cona County Cultural Bureau (错那县文化局) was officially approved as the legal protection unit for the dance.

In 2023, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China confirmed the Cona County Cultural Bureau as the designated protector of the dance, ensuring that it will continue to be preserved through digital archiving and active performances.

Preservation Through Digitalization

Recent efforts have led to the digital preservation of 16 sets of traditional dance scores, helping to safeguard this important heritage for future generations.