Dunzhu- Inheritor of Folktale of Lhari County in Nagqu, Tibet

Dunzhu (顿珠) is a renowned Tibetan storyteller from Lhari County (嘉黎县), Nagqu (那曲), Tibet Autonomous Region. He is the inheritor of the folktales of Lhari County, a national-level intangible cultural heritage project. Dunzhu is recognized for his mastery in narrating traditional Tibetan stories, which have been passed down through generations.

Early Life and Learning

Born in August 1969 in Lhari County (嘉黎县), Nagqu (那曲), Tibet, Dunzhu grew up surrounded by the rich oral traditions of his people. His journey as a storyteller began at the age of 11, when he started following his father, Nyangbu Gong Sangji (娘布·贡桑吉), to learn the art of Tibetan folktale narration.

Dunzhu’s father, a respected storyteller in the community, was his primary teacher. Under his guidance, Dunzhu learned to tell a variety of short folktales, including “King Chen Ga Sān Zǐ” (王臣丐三子), “The Story of King Lā Gǔ Zàn Bù and King Tuó Gǔ Zàn Bù” (拉古赞布王和托古赞布王), and “The Demon King Jiā Yù Gāng Gāng” (魔王甲玉冈冈). These tales are deeply embedded in Tibetan culture, often featuring themes of heroism, magic, and the supernatural.

Mastering Long-Form Storytelling

In 1992, Dunzhu began formal training with his father on longer epic narratives, such as “The Story of Shang Fang’s Ri Xi Ri Ga and Xia Fang’s Ri Xi Ri Ma” (《上方的日昔日嘎和下方的日昔日玛》). During this period, he also learned other short stories such as “The Lamb Brothers” (羊羔兄弟), “The Half-Handed Thief” (半掌小偷), “The Fox” (狐狸), “The Old Tree on the East Side” (东边老树), “The Demon King Chā Gā Chā Luó” (魔王恰嘎恰罗), and “The Flesh-Eating Tiger” (食肉花虎). These tales reflect the everyday life, wisdom, and folklore of the Tibetan people.

Contributions and Popularity

Dunzhu’s commitment to oral storytelling became widely appreciated in his community, particularly during the agricultural off-season. He began performing and narrating stories to local audiences, earning a deep affection from his listeners for his vivid and engaging storytelling style. His ability to weave ancient Tibetan folktales with contemporary flair has helped preserve and popularize these oral traditions.

In 2000, he dedicated time to learning and mastering his father’s signature folktale, “Bèi Qióng” (悲琼). This tale, known for its emotional depth and dramatic narrative, was an important part of his repertoire.

In 2010, Dunzhu spent an entire year refining the singing and narration style of “Bèi Qióng” (悲琼) to make it more compelling and dynamic. His relentless pursuit of excellence in storytelling has played a crucial role in keeping the traditional art form alive and vibrant.

Recognition and Honors

Dunzhu’s contribution to the preservation of Tibetan folktales has been widely acknowledged. In 2017, he was recommended as an inheritor for the fifth batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage projects. In 2018, he was officially recognized as a representative inheritor of the folktales of Lhari County (嘉黎县民间故事).