Jiami Watermill Manufacturing Process in Lhasa

Location: Jiami Watermill (甲米水磨坊), Lhasa (拉萨), Tibet
The Jiami Watermill Manufacturing Process (甲米水磨坊制作技艺) is a traditional craftsmanship of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The Jiami Watermill, established around the 17th century, showcases the remarkable mechanical manufacturing and grain processing skills of the Tibetan people. It uses natural spring water to grind tsampa (藏式糌粑), Tibet’s staple food, in an energy-efficient and eco-friendly manner.

In 2006, the Jiami Watermill Manufacturing Process was approved by the State Council and listed as part of the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage (国家级非物质文化遗产).

Key Information

  • Heritage Name: Jiami Watermill Manufacturing Process (拉萨甲米水磨坊制作技艺)

  • Heritage Level: National (国家级)

  • Heritage Category: Traditional Craftsmanship (传统技艺)

  • Approval Date: May 20, 2006 (2006年5月20日)

  • Heritage Number: VIII-47

  • Origin: Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区)

Overview of Jiami Watermill

Historical Origins

In Tibet’s agricultural and pastoral regions, people have ingeniously constructed watermills using the natural slope of mountain streams to process tsampa, flour, and animal feed. The most famous of these is Jiami Quge (甲米曲果), which refers to the Jiami Watermill located in Niangregou (娘热沟), a picturesque area 6 kilometers north of Lhasa (拉萨). The abundant water resources in this area helped form the largest cluster of watermills near Lhasa, with 21 watermills historically constructed, a unique feature not seen anywhere else in the Tibetan region. Niangregou has long been a vital place for grinding tsampa in the Lhasa area.

The Tibetan people have been consuming tsampa for thousands of years. In the early days, it was ground manually, but later, water-powered mills like the Jiami Watermill were introduced. Established around the 17th century, the mill is historically significant, and the 5th Dalai Lama (五世达赖喇嘛) once received tsampa ground at Jiami Watermill as an offering. The mill gained official recognition as a place for preparing tsampa for the Dalai Lama during the 7th Dalai Lama’s (七世达赖) reign, and it received special privileges from the Tibetan local government to commemorate its important role.

The Process of Grinding Tsampa

The watermill is typically built on the banks of rivers or streams, where water channels are controlled with sluice gates to regulate water flow. Water flows through wooden channels to power a wooden wheel connected to the grinding millstone. The millstones are made of stone and have two concentric circular discs, one thick and one thin, with a diameter of about 1 to 1.2 meters.

A distinctive feature of the Jiami Watermill is the elevating wooden rod connected to the wheel, which adjusts the gap between the millstones, allowing for different textures of tsampa to be ground according to the user’s preference. The grinding direction must follow the counterclockwise tradition, in line with Tibetan customs.

Historically, Jiami Watermill was used on specific days, such as the 15th and 30th of each Tibetan lunar month, to grind tsampa for the Dalai Lama. On these days, monks and chefs would supervise the process, ensuring that the tsampa was prepared properly, and it would be placed in a small yellow satin bag to be delivered to the Dalai Lama at the Potala Palace (布达拉宫).

Making Tsampa: The Craftsmanship

The process of tsampa production involves several key steps:

  1. Selection of Materials: The grains are carefully chosen for grinding.

  2. Roasting: The barley is roasted before grinding.

  3. Grinding: The roasted barley is ground into flour by the watermill.

In addition to tsampa processing, the Jiami Watermill involves other craftsmanship, such as the construction of the watermill and the repair and maintenance of the mechanical parts, including the wooden wheel, grinding stones, and the water channels.

Inheritance and Protection

Current Status of Inheritance

The traditional watermills, due to their low efficiency and limited output, are facing challenges from modern electric milling tools. As a result, the Jiami Watermill‘s future development is uncertain and in urgent need of preservation.

Protection Measures

In 2001, Jiami Quge became a feature of the Niangregou Folk Custom Park (娘热民俗风情园), and the ancient sound of the watermill was revived as part of the tourist experience. To better protect Jiami Watermill, the Tibet Autonomous Region has implemented regulations prohibiting the extraction of stone, sand, and minerals, as well as any activity that could harm the local geological landscape. The Lhasa City government has established development goals to protect the resources of Niangregou and its surrounding area.

In November 2019, the Jiami Watermill Manufacturing Process project was officially listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Project Protection Unit, and Tibet Gajilin Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd. (西藏嘎吉林文化旅游开发有限公司) was assigned as the protector of the project.

Recent Updates

On October 31, 2023, Tibet Gajilin Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd. passed the evaluation to continue safeguarding the Jiami Watermill Manufacturing Process as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Project Protection Unit, ensuring that this centuries-old craft will be preserved for future generations.