Pema Qunjiu- Inheritor of Qiangmu Dance of Lakang Kagyu in Lhozhag County, Shannan, Tibet

Pema Qunjiu (白玛群久) is a prominent inheritor of the Qiangmu Dance of Lakang Kagyu (拉康加羌姆), a unique traditional dance from Lhozhag County (洛扎县) in Shannan (山南), Tibet. Born in April 1941, Pema Qunjiu has dedicated his life to the preservation and transmission of this cultural treasure.

Personal Information

  • Name: Pema Qunjiu (白玛群久)

  • Ethnicity: Tibetan (藏族)

  • Birth Date: April 1941

  • Heritage Category: Traditional Dance (传统舞蹈)

  • Project Number: III-22 (Ⅲ-22)

  • Region: Lhozhag County, Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区洛扎县)

Background and Early Life

Pema Qunjiu was born in Lhozhag County (洛扎县), located in Shannan Prefecture (山南地区), Tibet. He began his journey into the world of traditional Tibetan dance at the young age of 14. Under the guidance of the renowned Gongga Qunpei (贡嘎群培), he learned to perform the Lakang Kagyu Qiangmu Dance (拉康加羌姆), an ancient dance form that is deeply rooted in Tibetan culture and history.

Through rigorous training, he mastered the movements, artistic features, and historical significance of Qiangmu. This allowed him to achieve a high level of proficiency in the performance of the dance.

Main Contributions

Transmission of the Qiangmu Dance

Since being recognized as the official inheritor of Lakang Kagyu Qiangmu (拉康加羌姆), Pema Qunjiu has played a pivotal role in preserving and passing on this dance form. He has dedicated his time during the off-season of farming to recruit young performers with artistic potential from the surrounding region. Through mentorship, he has trained a group of young artists in the intricate dance techniques, ensuring the continuation of this tradition.

Development of the Inheritor Group

Under Pema Qunjiu’s leadership, the group of Qiangmu performers has grown significantly. From the initial single performer, the group now consists of eight members, creating a strong foundation for the future of Lakang Kagyu Qiangmu. This stable inheritor group guarantees the continued vitality and preservation of this essential Tibetan dance.

Resurgence of the Dance

In 1985, after a period of dormancy, Lakang Kagyu Qiangmu was revived, and Pema Qunjiu took on the role of both organizer and drummer (鼓钹手). His dedication to reviving this tradition has ensured that the dance continues to thrive in contemporary times.