Tudan Qunpei- Inheritor of A Qiangmu Dance of Gongkar Chode Monastery in Gonggar County, Shannan, Tibet

Tudan Qunpei (土旦群培) is a prominent inheritor of the Qiangmu Dance (羌姆), specifically the A Qiangmu Dance of Gongkar Chode Monastery (曲德寺) in Gonggar County (贡嘎县), Shannan (山南), Tibet. Born in June 1969, he has dedicated his life to the preservation and performance of this unique religious dance, which is an important part of Tibetan cultural heritage.

Personal Information

  • Name: Tudan Qunpei (土旦群培)

  • Ethnicity: Tibetan (藏族)

  • Birth Date: June 1969

  • Heritage Category: Traditional Dance (羌姆舞蹈)

  • Project Number: IV-22 (曲德寺阿羌姆)

  • Region: Gonggar County, Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区贡嘎县)

Background and Career

Tudan Qunpei has been deeply involved in the A Qiangmu Dance (阿羌姆) from a young age. He has long played a key role both as a performer and cymbal player (击钹员) in the dance, ensuring its preservation and continued relevance. Since becoming the Director of the Gongkar Chode Monastery Civil Management Committee, he has taken on the responsibility of organizing the A Qiangmu dance rehearsals for the monks of the monastery.

Before the “Jian’a Quba” (坚阿曲巴) grand religious ceremony held on the 15th day of the first Tibetan lunar month every year, Tudan Qunpei organizes intensive rehearsals, ensuring that the monks refresh their knowledge of the dance movements and content. This preparation guarantees that the performance of A Qiangmu retains its authenticity and is presented to the public in its original form.

Main Contributions

Mentorship and Training

Tudan Qunpei has been instrumental in training the next generation of dancers. Over the years, he has personally taught and mentored over 30 students, including Jiangbai Luozhui (江白洛追) and Jiangbai Gongga (江白贡嘎). Through his efforts, the dance has been better protected and passed down through successive generations of performers.

Role in Reviving and Promoting A Qiangmu Dance

After the A Qiangmu Dance was revived, Tudan Qunpei has led the dance troupe in numerous public performances. These performances include significant celebrations such as the 30th and 40th anniversaries of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Yalong Cultural Tourism Festival opening ceremony, and the Gonggar County Material and Cultural Exchange Festival.

Additionally, Tudan Qunpei has taken part in welcoming and bidding farewell to national leaders visiting Tibet, showcasing the cultural significance of A Qiangmu Dance in these events.

Significant Contributions to Tibetan Folk Arts

Having performed A Qiangmu for over 20 years, Tudan Qunpei continues to play an essential role in ensuring the dance is passed on and practiced by younger generations. His work also involves teaching young monks, which enhances the preservation of religious dance art and strengthens the protection of Shannan’s (山南) rich folk traditions.

Awards and Recognition

Tudan Qunpei’s dedication to the dance has earned him several accolades:

  • 2004 & 2005: Recognized as an Advanced Individual in National Unity and Firefighting Excellence by the Shannan District Committee (山南地委).

  • 2010: Appointed as a Representative Inheritor of Tibet Autonomous Region’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

  • 2013: Recognized as one of the Fourth Batch of National Representative Inheritors of the A Qiangmu Dance by China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee.