Badan- Inheritor of Epic of King Gesar in Tibet

Badan (巴旦), a Tibetan man born in October 1971 in Bango County (班戈县), Tibet Autonomous Region, is a recognized national-level inheritor of the Epic of King Gesar (格萨尔), one of the most significant and ancient traditions of Tibetan oral literature. He was officially designated as an inheritor of this Intangible Cultural Heritage project in 2018.

Early Life and Introduction to the Epic of King Gesar

At the age of 13, while tending cattle, Badan began experiencing vivid visions of King Gesar leading his army in battle. This sparked his interest in the Epic of King Gesar, a legendary narrative deeply rooted in Tibetan culture. By 15, he began to systemically narrate the Gesar stories, starting his journey as an oral narrator and performer of this ancient epic.

In 1991, he officially began his oral storytelling and chanting activities, and by 1996, he was employed as a full-time Gesar performer at the Nagqu Cultural Center (那曲地区群艺馆), where he focused entirely on the transmission of the Epic of King Gesar.

Contributions to the Epic of King Gesar

Badan has devoted much of his life to preserving and promoting the Epic of King Gesar. He recorded audio and video materials of epic battles like the Battle of Suoling (梭岭之战) and the Battle of Daling (达岭之战), and published three volumes of epic chants such as the Battle of Zanling (赞岭之战) and Kazicazong (卡孜擦宗). These recordings and publications serve as essential resources for preserving this part of Tibetan oral heritage.

In 2008, Badan contributed to the Gesar Birth (格萨尔诞生) and Zanma Song (赞马颂) recording projects, completing 76 exclusive recitations in Northern Tibet. His works have provided invaluable contributions to the oral tradition and ensured the survival of King Gesar’s epic through modern means, such as recorded media.

Promotion and Cultural Advocacy

After being officially recognized as a national-level inheritor of King Gesar’s epic in May 2018, Badan has worked tirelessly to promote Gesar culture through various forms, such as school tours and festival performances. He has been vocal about the importance of video recording and text translations to overcome the limitations of traditional oral transmission and bring Gesar’s story to a wider audience. By utilizing modern technology alongside traditional performances, Badan aims to preserve and spread the epic beyond Tibet and into the global stage.

Honors and Recognition

Achievements

  • December 2017: Nominated for the fifth batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors.

  • May 8, 2018: Officially recognized as a national-level inheritor of the Epic of King Gesar by the Cultural Heritage Ministry of China.