Sanxian Dance in Markam County, Qamdo

The Sanxian Dance (三弦舞) is a traditional folk dance originating from Markam County (芒康县) in Qamdo (昌都) of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is recognized as one of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritages. This dance is performed to the accompaniment of the Sanxian (三弦), a traditional three-stringed instrument, and involves both men and women dancing and singing together in a lively and joyful manner. The music is bright and straightforward, with a free-spirited style, reflecting the hopes of the people in Markam for prosperity, good fortune, and protection from disasters.

  • Heritage Level: National Intangible Cultural Heritage

  • Heritage Category: Traditional Dance

  • Declared Area: Tibet Autonomous Region, Markam County

  • Heritage ID: III-86

  • Approved Date: June 7, 2008

Historical Origins

The Roots of Sanxian Dance

The Sanxian Dance originated in Daxu Village (达许村) of Quzi Ka Township (曲孜卡乡), Markam County, in Qamdo. The dance dates back more than 400 to 500 years, with its origins tied to the local folk culture. Located at the crossroads of Tibet, Sichuan, and Yunnan, Markam is historically significant as the first stop along the ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道) that connected Tibet with the rest of China and Southeast Asia. Travelers passing through the area helped spread the dance, making it a unique cultural feature of the region. As a result, Sanxian Dance became a well-known dance style in the southeastern part of Tibet and the border area of Tibet, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

Dance Features

Performance Style and Music

The Sanxian Dance features a group of men and women singing and dancing together. The lyrics are catchy, and the rhythm is gentle and fluid at the start, building to a lively and energetic conclusion. The music that accompanies the dance is characterized by its simplicity and brightness, with a free-spirited and bold singing style. The dance movements are elegant and graceful, with the performers using the Sanxian (three-stringed instrument) as the main musical accompaniment.

  • Typical Songs:

    • “Rabbit’s Joyful Song” (兔子欢歌)

    • “One-Legged Elder” (独脚老人)

    • “Samba Cham” (桑巴查姆)

    • “Watching Dance” (观看舞)

    • “Slang Ya Zuo” (斯郎亚卓)

    • “Peacock Dance” (孔雀舞)

    • “Yellow Duck Dance” (黄鸭舞)

Symbolism and Dance Style

The Sanxian Dance expresses the wishes of the people of Markam for a good harvest, happiness, and prosperity. It is an embodiment of their joy and hope for a bright future, with movements that are joyful and uplifting. The dance is not bound by numbers or space and is performed in both formal and informal settings, making it adaptable to various occasions.

Inheritance and Protection

Inheritance Value

The Sanxian Dance carries significant ethnological and folkloric value. It reflects the distinctive ethnic style and the unique culture of the Markam region and the Tibet Autonomous Region. As an important cultural expression, it provides rich insight into the traditions and way of life of the Tibetan people, particularly in Qamdo and the surrounding areas.

Current Inheritance Status

The Sanxian Dance faces challenges in the modern world, as it is impacted by the commercialization of culture and the erosion of traditional practices. The dance is at risk of disappearing, with fewer younger generations learning the dance. Efforts are being made to preserve and protect this heritage before it is lost.

Notable Inheritors

  • Jiang Bailun Zhu (江白轮珠), a male Tibetan artist born in July 1942, is a representative inheritor of the Sanxian Dance. He has been instrumental in keeping the tradition alive and was officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritor.

Protection Measures

In November 2019, the Markam County Cultural Bureau (芒康县文化局) was designated as the official protector of the Sanxian Dance. In October 2023, the Tibet Autonomous Region Cultural Bureau confirmed that the preservation and evaluation efforts were successful, and the Markam County Cultural Bureau was deemed to have met the necessary standards for protection.

Social Impact

Key Cultural Activities

The Sanxian Dance was performed during the Tibet Autonomous Region founding celebration in 1965, showcasing its importance in Tibetan cultural celebrations. In 2003, the Daxu Village in Quzi Ka Township formed a Sanxian Dance Performance Team to promote this traditional cultural practice. The dance, originally a local entertainment activity, has now become an important part of the region’s cultural tourism.

Cultural Folklore

A Legendary Tale Behind the Dance

In ancient times, there was a small kingdom located in a beautiful valley, where the people were surrounded by lush willow trees and cheerful songbirds. However, the kingdom was often struck by natural disasters, preventing its growth and prosperity. The people lived in constant suffering, and despair loomed over the land.

The God of Wealth witnessed the misfortune of the kingdom and shared the story with the Radiant Goddess (光芒天女). Upon hearing the story, the goddess quickly understood the cause of the disasters. She revealed that the kingdom was plagued by a large crocodile that lived in a sacred lake, where many treasures were buried. The crocodile, driven by greed, had caused the kingdom’s calamities.

To save the kingdom, the goddess used her magical powers to drag the crocodile out of the lake, and the God of Wealth swiftly transformed it into a Sanxian instrument. When the God of Wealth circled the lake with the transformed instrument, vibrant Gesang flowers (格桑花) sprang up at the lake’s edge, bringing prosperity and health to the kingdom’s people.

The shape of the Sanxian still bears the traces of the legendary crocodile: the body of the instrument represents the sacred lake, the neck symbolizes the surrounding sacred mountains, and the head of the instrument mirrors the crocodile’s head and teeth.

The Dragon Legend

There is another legend associated with the Sanxian, where the instrument’s head represents a dragon’s head, the body represents the dragon’s spine, and the strings are said to be the dragon’s tendons. Today, most Sanxian instruments are made of pure wood, carrying the mystical and mythical legacy of the instrument.