Cidan Wangjia- Inheritor of Tibetan Forged Copper Manufacturing Process in Lhaze County, Shigatse, Tibet

Cidan Wangjia (次旦旺加) is the representative inheritor of the Tibetan Forged Copper Manufacturing Process, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage skill. He was born in November 1946 in Lhaze County (拉孜县), Shigatse (日喀则), Tibet (西藏). Cidan is the sixth-generation inheritor of the Zilong Tibetan Knife Forging Technique (孜龙藏刀锻制技艺), a renowned craft passed down through generations, and he was recognized as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritor in 2009.

Personal Information

  • Name: Cidan Wangjia (次旦旺加)

  • Date of Birth: November 1946

  • Ethnicity: Tibetan (藏族)

  • Region: Lhaze County (拉孜县), Shigatse (日喀则), Tibet (西藏)

  • Inheritor Title: National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor (国家级非物质文化遗产传承人)

  • Heritage Project: Tibetan Metal Forging Craft (Tibetan Knife Forging) (藏族金属锻造技艺)

  • Recognition: National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor (2009)

  • Generation: Sixth-generation inheritor (第六代传人)

Heritage Journey

As a descendant of a long line of Tibetan metal forging masters, Cidan Wangjia’s family tradition dates back centuries. His family has been honing the craft of Tibetan knife forging for generations. From 2008, when the Tibetan Knife Forging Technique was officially listed as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Cidan Wangjia has continued to pass on this traditional skill to the next generation. His sons, Nima Wangla (尼玛旺拉) and Cidan Zhashi (次旦扎西), as well as his grandson, Sorong Zhula (索朗珠拉), have followed in his footsteps, ensuring the continuity of this valuable craft. By March 2023, the third generation of the family, including his grandson, had become involved in forging and further developing the craft.

Key Achievements:

  • In 2009, Cidan Wangjia was officially recognized as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor for his work in preserving Tibetan metal forging techniques.

  • His family’s lineage has ensured that the craft of Tibetan knife forging continues to thrive in Lhaze County, with a strong focus on both technical skills and traditional values.

Craft Features

The Zilong Tibetan Knife Forging Technique has evolved over centuries to form a unique artisanal process, combining metallurgy and cultural heritage. It is characterized by the following distinctive features:

1. Repeated Forging Technique

  • The Zilong Tibetan knives are created through a rigorous process of repeated forging, which enhances the blade’s sharpness and durability.

2. Unique Tempering Process

  • One of the signature elements of this forging technique is the tempering process, where butter, animal blood, and Tibetan wild fruits are used to infuse the blade with superior qualities. This process gives the knives a unique sharpness and quality, making them self-sharpening. The Tibetan knives forged in this manner are so sharp that they can be used to sharpen other knives.

3. Handcrafted Process

  • The entire process of creating a Tibetan knife involves multiple steps, including material selection, forging, and tempering. These are all done by hand, ensuring a high level of craftsmanship and personal touch in each item.

Contemporary Inheritance

Cidan Wangjia has actively worked to train the next generation of Tibetan knife forgers. His son, Nima Wangla, is considered the seventh-generation inheritor of the craft, and they are in the process of establishing a Tibetan Knife Heritage School in Lhaze County (拉孜县) to pass on their skills.

Training Standards:

  • Cidan emphasizes that apprentices must possess qualities such as integrity, patience, and perseverance in order to successfully learn and continue the family tradition.

Family Legacy:

  • By March 2023, Cidan Wangjia’s family, spanning three generations, has worked together in the family’s workshop in Zilong Village (孜龙村), ensuring the continuity of this Tibetan cultural treasure. This established a complete family heritage chain, passing down the traditional techniques and values associated with the Tibetan knife forging craft.