Zhuoga- Inheritor of Guge Xuanwu Dance in Zanda County, Ngari, Tibet

Zhuoga (卓嘎), born in January 1932 and passed away on November 25, 2021, was a pivotal figure in the preservation and inheritance of the Guge Xuanwu Dance (古格宣舞), a traditional Tibetan dance that is part of Tibet’s rich intangible cultural heritage. She was the National Inheritor of Guge Xuanwu Dance and played a critical role in the protection, documentation, and transmission of this ancient art form.

Inheritor Background

• Name: Zhuoga (卓嘎)

• Ethnicity: Tibetan (藏族)

• Birthdate: January 1932

• Death Date: November 25, 2021

• Inheritor Status: National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor

• Project: Guge Xuanwu Dance (古格宣舞)

• Region: Zanda County (札达县), Ngari (阿里), Tibet

• Key Achievement: Digital preservation of Guge Xuanwu Dance

The Journey of Inheritance

Born in Zanda County (札达县), Ngari (阿里), Tibet, Zhuoga developed a passion for song and dance from a young age. At the age of 20, she was compelled to study Xuanwu Dance under the instruction of the last Xuanguo Gelu (宣果格鲁), a master of Xuanwu Dance, and his daughter. Over time, she perfected the 13 movements of Guge Xuanwu Dance, learning both the lyrics and dance steps.

However, due to the loss of certain costumes and techniques, by 2012, she was only able to perform six complete segments of the Guge Xuanwu Dance. Despite these challenges, Zhuoga remained committed to the dance, becoming the only person in Tibet to fully master the ancient art form.

Efforts in Preservation and Transmission

Zhuoga’s lifelong efforts were crucial in preserving the dance form. When Guge Xuanwu Dance was added to the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2008, she worked closely with cultural authorities to rescue and preserve the dance. Her efforts included recording instructional videos for Xuanwu Dance, ensuring the knowledge would be passed down to future generations. In 2021, the Tibet Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center conducted a mid-term review of her digital preservation project, which was considered an essential step in safeguarding the art.

In 2011, Zhuoga began teaching and mentoring students, many from farming and pastoral families, passing on the knowledge she had gained. She also worked with the Zanda County Folk Art Troupe, leading performances and creating new choreographies to encourage community participation. Through her guidance, she ensured the continuity of Xuanwu Dance within local Tibetan communities.

Key Achievements and Contributions

• Artistic Breakthroughs: In 2012, Zhuoga participated in the Tibetan New Year Water Dragon Celebration, where she performed the Gu Hai Shen Yun (古海神韵) segment of Xuanwu Dance, marking a long-held dream to perform in Lhasa (拉萨).

• Cultural Impact: Her story was included in the cultural drama “Dreaming Back to Guge” (梦回古格), which played a significant role in spreading awareness about the Xuanwu Dance and the rich culture of Guge (古格).

Passing and Legacy

Zhuoga passed away on November 25, 2021, at the age of 90 in Zanda County, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. Her digital preservation efforts have provided an invaluable cultural archive, ensuring that the Guge Xuanwu Dance will live on for future generations. According to the Tibet Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, her work “marks a milestone in building a traditional cultural gene bank.”

As of 2021, there were 106 national intangible cultural heritage projects and 96 national intangible cultural heritage inheritors in Tibet. Zhuoga’s role as an inheritor has made her a central figure in the safeguarding of Tibetan culture, and her efforts have made an enduring impact on the preservation of the Guge Xuanwu Dance and other traditional Tibetan art forms.