Guge Xuanwu Dance in Zanda County, Ngari

The Guge Xuanwu Dance (古格宣舞) is a traditional Tibetan folk dance originating from Zanda County (札达县) in Ngari Prefecture (阿里地区), located in the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区). This dance has been recognized as part of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Guge Xuanwu Dance is unique to Tibet and has a rich history dating back to the early Tibetan civilizations, particularly during the era of the Guge Kingdom (古格王国). It blends song, dance, and chanting to create a vivid and expressive performance. The dance incorporates elements of Tibetan opera, folk songs, and rituals, reflecting the religious, ritual, and festive aspects of Tibetan life.

In June 2008, it was officially listed as part of the second batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, with the heritage number III-80.

  • Heritage Level: National Intangible Cultural Heritage

  • Project Number: III-80

  • Heritage Category: Traditional Dance

  • Declared Area: Zanda County (札达县), Ngari Prefecture (阿里地区)

  • Approved: June 7, 2008

Historical Origins

The Guge Xuanwu Dance traces its origins to the early Zhongxiang civilization (象雄文明), evolving over time to become a prominent cultural expression in the Guge Kingdom (古格王国). The dance is first recorded in the Red Hall murals at the Guge Ruins (古格遗址), where it was depicted as part of a grand ceremony organized by the Guge King (古格王) to honor Atisha (阿底峡大师), an important Buddhist master.

The word “Xuan” (宣) is derived from Sanskrit, translating to dance in Tibetan. Initially, the dance was practiced in Zanda County (札达县) during the 10th century, later spreading to other areas like Pulan (普兰), Ritu (日土), and beyond.

Though originally a folk dance, by the 10th century, it gained popularity in the royal courts and was performed at ceremonial events and rituals. Over time, it transitioned back to the common folk, evolving into a more entertainment-focused performance, still performed during festivals and religious gatherings today.

Dance Features

The Guge Xuanwu Dance is typically performed during festivals, with a special combination of movements performed alongside the Gaar Dance (嘎尔舞). The sequence begins with the Gaar Dance, followed by the Xuanwu Dance, and concludes with a joint performance of both dances.

In religious ceremonies, the dance is incorporated into the overall ritual, symbolizing auspiciousness and devotion.

Basic Style

  • The Xuanwu Dance is elegant and composed, with simple but graceful movements.

  • Performers hold hands in an interlacing manner, bowing their heads slightly as they move slowly to the beat of two drums.

  • The formation of the dancers is unique, with diagonal lines or dragon tail patterns (龙摆尾) rarely seen in other Tibetan folk dances.

  • The performance begins with drumming, with no singing at first. The lead dancer then begins to chant, and the other dancers join in, following the rhythm of the song while maintaining a calm and steady pace.

Dance Formation

Unlike most Tibetan folk dances, which are performed in a circle, the Guge Xuanwu Dance is typically performed in diagonal lines. This formation is rare and highly distinctive within Tibetan dance traditions.

The rhythm is powerful, starting slowly and then accelerating. There are 13 different movements, and when performed in full, it can take ten days and nights to complete.

The “Thirteen Xuanwu Dances”

In Guge, there is a specific style of performance called the “Thirteen Xuanwu Dances” (十三宣舞). This form of the dance is considered sacred and can only be performed during specific times and at specific locations, with dancers in traditional attire. The performance of the “Thirteen Xuanwu Dances” is restricted to ritual and royal contexts, and is not performed in public.

In contrast, other regions of Ngari Prefecture (阿里地区) like Diya, Chulu Songjie, and Shalang also have variations of the Xuanwu Dance, typically led by a male drummer with the female dancers linked together by their arms. The choreography often follows the dragon body shape (龙体), with rhythmic movements progressing from slow to fast, emphasizing the steady and strong style of the Guge region (古格地区).

Inheritance and Protection

Inheritance Value

The Guge Xuanwu Dance combines chanting, singing, and dancing, making it a highly captivating and important form of cultural expression. The dance embodies local cultural characteristics and holds immense ethnological and historical value, carrying the ancient cultural memories of the Guge Kingdom (古格王国) and its people.

Key Inheritors

  • Tso Ga (卓嘎): A female, Tibetan dancer, representative inheritor of the Guge Xuanwu Dance, recognized as part of the 5th batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage representatives.

Protection Measures

In November 2019, the Cultural and Tourism Bureau of Zanda County (札达县文化和旅游局) was officially recognized as the protection unit for the Guge Xuanwu Dance.

In October 2023, the protection unit was re-evaluated, and the project was reassigned to the Cultural, Tourism, and Sports Bureau of Zanda County (札达县文化旅游和体育局), due to organizational changes within the previous protection unit.

Social Impact

Honors and Recognition

  • 2006: The Guge Xuanwu Dance performed by the Ngari Art Troupe (阿里地区艺术团) was awarded the “Best Traditional Dance” title at the 2006 China Ethnic and Folk Song and Dance Festival hosted by CCTV (中央电视台).

Social Activities

  • October 17, 2019: The Guge Xuanwu Dance was featured at the 2019 Tibet Poetry Festival, held at the Guge Ruins (古格遗址), showcasing the cultural significance of the dance in modern Tibetan festivals.