Lobu Quzhen- Inheritor of Nangma Dance in Lhasa, Tibet

Luo Bu Quzhen (洛布曲珍) was a prominent Tibetan dancer and cultural inheritor, renowned for her efforts in preserving and transmitting Nangma Dance (囊玛舞), a traditional art form from Lhasa (拉萨), Tibet. She dedicated much of her life to the revival and teaching of Nangma, ensuring its continued presence in Tibetan cultural heritage.

Personal Information

  • Name: Luo Bu Quzhen (洛布曲珍)

  • Ethnicity: Tibetan (藏族)

  • Birth Date: September 1935

  • Death Date: October 2017

  • Project Number: III-81

  • Heritage Category: Traditional Dance (传统舞蹈)

  • Region: Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区拉萨市)

Background and Career

Luo Bu Quzhen was born in Lhasa, Tibet, and started learning Nangma Dance at the tender age of 7 under the guidance of the legendary artist Pubu Zhuoma (普布卓玛). Her style was characterized by graceful movements and vivid ethnic and regional features, capturing the essence of Tibetan folk dance. She developed a deep understanding of traditional Nangma and Dui Xie (堆谐) performance arts, mastering nearly 100 traditional songs and dance pieces.

Training and Teaching Journey

  • 1942: At the age of 7, she began her training in Nangma performance under the guidance of Pubu Zhuoma, a renowned Nangma artist and master from the Crow Style (乌鸦流派).

  • 1943-1958: She participated in Nangma performances alongside senior artists such as Sajia La, Duoji La, Ame Ri, and Bei Yi Aba La, gaining invaluable experience.

  • 2002-2008: She performed Nangma across various locations in Lhasa, receiving recognition from diverse sectors of society.

  • 2008: She published the Nangma album titled “Echoes of the Snowy Land” (雪域的回荡), a collection of traditional Tibetan folk music and Nangma dance performances.

Mentorship and Legacy

From 2009 onwards, Luo Bu Quzhen took on the role of instructor at the Nyangre Folk Art Troupe (娘热民间艺术团) in Lhasa. She began training new generations of dancers, passing on the techniques and cultural knowledge of Nangma. Over the years, she successfully trained more than 20 students, all of whom became proficient in performing **47 Nangma songs and 35 Dui Xie songs.

Her efforts to preserve and pass on Nangma have been instrumental in keeping the art form alive, ensuring it continues to be practiced and appreciated by future generations.

Recognition and Achievements

Luo Bu Quzhen’s work in preserving Nangma has earned her significant recognition and awards.

  • 2008: She published the highly influential Nangma album, “Echoes of the Snowy Land” (雪域的回荡), which broadened the cultural impact of Nangma.

  • 2009: She became the lead instructor at the Nyangre Folk Art Troupe (娘热民间艺术团) in Lhasa, helping train over 20 disciples.

  • 2010: She was officially recognized as a Tibetan Autonomous Region-level inheritor of Lhasa Nangma (拉萨囊玛).

  • 2010: She participated in the Lhasa Nangma documentary project, which aimed to preserve and showcase Nangma as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Tibet.

  • 2011: She participated in the Shoton Festival (雪顿节) to showcase Nangma performances as part of an intangible cultural heritage exhibition.

Her Legacy and Contributions

Luo Bu Quzhen’s legacy lies in her tireless efforts to preserve and pass on the Nangma Dance, a cornerstone of Tibetan folk arts. Through her performances, training, and archival work, she not only revived a fading tradition but also ensured that it would be carried forward by a new generation of dancers.

Her work as a teacher, mentor, and cultural advocate for Nangma will continue to inspire future generations in Tibet and beyond, ensuring the continued presence of Tibetan folk dance in the cultural fabric of the region.