Sangzhu- Inheritor of Xierong Zhongzi Dance in Quxu County, Lhasa, Tibet

Sangzhu (桑珠), born in 1922, was a prominent Tibetan (藏族) Geser Epic (格萨尔史诗) performer and an important inheritor of Xierong Zhongzi Dance (协荣仲孜), also known as the Wild Yak Dance (野牦牛舞). Sangzhu played a significant role in preserving and promoting these crucial aspects of Tibetan culture, leaving behind a profound legacy in both the arts and cultural heritage.

Inheritor Profile

  • Name: Sangzhu (桑珠)

  • Ethnicity: Tibetan (藏族)

  • Birthdate: 1922

  • Death: 2011

  • Cultural Heritage: Geser Epic (格萨尔史诗) and Xierong Zhongzi Dance (协荣仲孜)

  • Status: National Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage

  • Inheritor Level: National-level (国家级)

  • Major Works: 45 Geser Epic chant books (格萨尔说唱本), 37 of which have been published in Chinese.

  • Honor Year: 2006

Background and Epic Tradition

Sangzhu was deeply influenced by his maternal grandfather and began learning the Geser Epic (格萨尔史诗) as a child. Over his lifetime, he became one of the most renowned Tibetan epic poets and traveled across the plateau to perform the Geser Epic through song and chant. Following Tibet’s democratic reforms, he settled in Mozhugongka County (墨竹工卡县) and actively contributed to the Tibetan Academy of Social Sciences‘s Geser research project, recording and organizing his performances into 45 volumes and 49 books.

His Geser Epic performances were rich in language and emotion, adding depth to the epic and earning academic acclaim. The Geser Epic is an important part of Tibet’s oral history and was compiled and translated into Chinese (中文) over an eight-year period with a financial investment of 7.66 million yuan, resulting in the publication of 33 volumes by 2022. These works are regarded as invaluable cultural treasures.

Preservation of Xierong Zhongzi Dance

Sangzhu was also a seventh-generation inheritor of the Xierong Zhongzi Dance (协荣仲孜), also known as the Wild Yak Dance. This ancient dance form originates from the time of Songtsen Gampo (松赞干布), the Tibetan king, and was added to the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2011. Sangzhu devoted much of his life to its preservation and promotion. He performed this dance at various major events, including the Shoton Festival (雪顿节), Wangguo Festival (望果节), and the Shanghai Import Expo (上海进博会). He also integrated the dance into local school curricula, ensuring that the younger generation would carry forward the tradition.

Through his teaching, Sangzhu was instrumental in cultivating new generations of performers. His efforts were supported by national and local government programs, which improved the environment for intangible cultural heritage preservation.

Legacy and Influence

Sangzhu passed away on February 16, 2011, at the age of 90. His death marked the end of an era in Tibetan oral history and the Geser Epic tradition. His legacy, however, lives on through the extensive work he left behind and the younger performers he trained. His life and contributions were documented in a film produced by the Lhasa Team (罗桑团队), preserving his narrative for future generations.

In 2024, the Lhasa District Bureau of Culture and Tourism (拉萨区文旅局) issued a certificate of recognition to his descendants and students, ensuring that Sangzhu’s commitment to the preservation of Tibetan heritage continues to be honored.

Key Achievements

  • Geser Epic Preservation: Sangzhu contributed to preserving Tibet’s oral traditions by recording and publishing 45 Geser Epic chant books, 37 of which were translated into Chinese.

  • Xierong Zhongzi Dance: As an inheritor, he was instrumental in teaching and spreading this traditional dance, ensuring its place in modern Tibetan culture.

  • Public Recognition: Sangzhu was recognized as a National Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006, a prestigious honor acknowledging his life’s work in preserving and promoting Tibetan traditions.