Comai County Tibetan Costumes

Comai County (措美县) in Shannan (山南) is home to a unique and ancient tradition of Zhazha Tibetan costumes (扎扎服饰), which have become an iconic symbol of the local culture. These costumes trace their origins to the Tubo Dynasty (吐蕃王朝) of the 7th century, when they were regarded as a noble and prestigious attire. The distinctive colored boots (甲黔), known as “Jia Qian”, were originally tribute items presented to the local government by the Zhegu Clan (哲古宗) as part of a tax payment. These boots, with their thick soles and sturdy leather, are both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. As part of the cultural exchange between Tubo Dynasty Tibet and the central plains of China, these costumes are considered important references for the study of Tibetan history, culture, art, and folklore.

One of the most famous aspects of Zhazha Village (扎杂村) in Zhegu Town (哲古镇), Comai County, is the Zhazha Tibetan costume, which was recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2008. In recent years, Zhazha Village has harnessed its rich cultural roots to revitalize the heritage, using policy support and entrepreneurial spirit to develop local economy and infrastructure, transforming this 4,600-meter-high village into a thriving community.

A Legacy of Thousand Years: The Revival of Ancient Heritage

Entering Zhazha Village (扎杂村), one is immediately struck by the Zhazha Tibetan costume, with its unique and eye-catching design. According to legend, Princess Wencheng (文成公主) of the Tubo Dynasty (吐蕃王朝) accidentally wore her attire inside out when she visited the Zhazha grasslands (扎杂草原) and celebrated with the local herders. The local women, impressed by the unique style, began wearing their clothes the same way, and over time, this fashion evolved into the costume seen today—characterized by exposed stitching, flowing borders, and upright collars, complemented by colorful hats, boots, vibrant aprons, and jingling waist ornaments. Wearing these costumes feels like stepping back in time, hearing the footsteps of history.

The process of making these garments is highly complex, requiring over ten steps, including spinning, weaving, dyeing, and stitching, and it takes nearly two months to complete one set. Due to the elaborate craftsmanship, high cost, and difficulty in wearing and removing the costumes, the transmission of the Zhazha costume faced significant challenges in earlier times.

Preserving the Craft: The Efforts to Keep Zhazha Costumes Alive

To ensure that this ancient craft is passed down to future generations, Awang Danda (阿旺旦达), a national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, and his wife Baima Deji (白玛德吉), have been actively training apprentices. Currently, 15 apprentices have been taught the craft. In addition, the couple has participated in numerous cultural exhibitions, bringing the Zhazha costume to the stage and making it more widely known. To meet modern needs, Awang Danda has made modifications to the traditional design, turning the two-piece set into a single piece with a large diagonal collar and built-in waist belt. This innovation has been well-received by the community.

In 2008, the Zhazha costume was officially included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List (国家级非物质文化遗产名录). In 2015, Comai County (措美县) invested in the establishment of the Zhazha Costume Inheritance Center (扎扎服饰传习所), providing a base for the preservation of this craft and contributing to the village’s economic development. Today, the Zhazha costume is not only worn by the women of the village during festivals but also serves as a key attraction for tourists interested in exploring the culture of Zhazha Village. Furthermore, Comai County (措美县) has created stage performances such as “Princess Wencheng’s Grassland Love” (文成公主草原情) and “Zhazha’s Love Story” (扎扎情缘), as well as films documenting the heritage, ensuring the continued transmission of this unique tradition.

A New Beginning: Happy Lives Settling Down

At 63, Baima Yangzong (白玛央宗), an elderly villager, enjoys sitting in front of her house, basking in the sun. She reflects on how life has changed, saying: “Before, living in the mountains, everything was inconvenient. Now that I’ve moved down, the shop, village committee, and school are close by. Life is much more convenient!” Her satisfied smile, as the warm sunlight glistens on her silver hair, symbolizes the joy of a comfortable life.

Previously, the villagers of Zhazha Village (扎杂村) lived on a steep mountainside, with narrow, winding roads and disorganized housing. During the rainy season, the village faced frequent issues such as leaking roofs and landslides, posing significant risks to the safety and well-being of the residents. The village lacked basic infrastructure, making it difficult for people to travel, send their children to school, or access medical care.

In 2018, a relocation project launched by Comai County (措美县) brought a turning point for Zhazha Village (扎杂村). The county government, following a scientifically planned layout with the design of “one ring, two axes, three nodes, and four groups”, reorganized the village. By 2020, 169 households, comprising 788 residents, moved from their dilapidated homes to newly constructed houses at the foot of the mountain, equipped with modern facilities.

Today, Zhazha Village (扎杂村) boasts modern amenities: water, electricity, roads, communication, and internet services. Smooth entry roads connect directly to the main road, allowing vehicles to reach the doorstep. Sewage is effectively treated at the processing station. The cultural square is where villagers gather to sing and dance after meals, enjoying their leisure time. Streetlights illuminate the village at night, making the path home brighter. The small gardens in front of the houses blend beautifully with the surrounding grasslands, providing a refreshing and peaceful environment.

In recent years, Zhazha Village (扎杂村) has actively promoted spiritual civilization, fostering a new cultural atmosphere, strengthening legal education, improving village regulations, and addressing outdated practices. Today, a sense of harmony and civility has become the new normal.

Access to Prosperity: Expanding Roads to Wealth

“Once the roads are open, the financial pathways open too!” says Tsering (次仁), a local villager, reflecting on how much things have changed. In the past, Zhazha Village (扎杂村) had poor roads, with narrow, muddy paths that were difficult to traverse. The lack of proper transportation severely limited the village’s development, making it hard for residents to travel, transport goods, and attract visitors or merchants.

With the advancement of rural revitalization, the village’s road infrastructure has undergone a dramatic transformation. In 2017, a road connecting Zhazha Village (扎杂村) to National Highway 560 (560国道) was completed, breaking the transportation bottleneck and significantly reducing the travel time to the county seat and Shannan City (山南市). After relocation, all roads in the village were paved, ensuring smooth connections between households.

With better roads, the local economy has flourished. Products like butter, beef, and dried milk are now in high demand, with outside merchants coming to purchase them. More tourists, drawn by the scenic grasslands and the opportunity to experience local culture, have also increased visits. The village’s youth have started purchasing trucks for transportation, increasing their income and helping the village’s products reach wider markets.

Multiple Sources of Income: Expanding Financial Opportunities

In the past, the villagers of Zhazha Village (扎杂村) relied heavily on herding for their income, with limited opportunities for diversification. However, in recent years, the Zhazha Village Party Committee (扎杂村党总支) has played a key role in guiding villagers to explore new sources of income. The community has unified the management of grasslands and livestock, rotating grazing practices to improve efficiency and free up labor for other activities. This has allowed villagers to seek work and business opportunities outside the village. By 2024, the collective economy of the village reached 190,000 RMB.

Today, villagers can be found in Lhasa (拉萨), Shigatse (日喀则), and Shannan (山南), expanding their business interests beyond livestock to include fruits, clothing, and everyday goods. They have also embraced digital platforms like WeChat (微信) and Douyin (抖音) to expand their markets, significantly increasing their income. For instance, Chilie Jiazhuo (赤列加措) has used the internet to sell dried beef nationwide, opening new sales avenues for local products and contributing to increased incomes.

The Zhazha costume has become a new economic driver for the village. The Zhazha Costume Inheritance Center (扎扎服饰传习所) offers villagers the opportunity to earn income by producing and selling these unique garments. A set of Zhazha costumes can fetch a high price, bringing financial benefits to the village while raising its profile. In 2023-2024, the center earned over 500,000 RMB. Additionally, the model of “intangible heritage + tourism” has also proven successful, with tourists coming to admire, experience, and purchase the costumes, boosting the local economy even further.