Gema Zhadui – Engraver of Tibetan Scripture in Deqin County, Diqing 

Gemaza Dui (格玛扎堆), male, Tibetan ethnicity, was born in 1967 in Niangwa Hamlet (娘瓦社), Lower Adong Area (阿东下片区), Adong Village Committee (阿东村民委员会), Shengping Town (升平镇), Deqin County (德钦县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州). He is a renowned local artist skilled in carving Tibetan scriptures, mastering both stone and wood carving crafts. In June 2007, he was officially recognized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture as a representative inheritor of the third batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects.

Artistic Journey

Growing up on the eastern slope of the sacred Kawagebo Mountain (卡瓦格博神山), an area deeply imbued with religious atmosphere, Gemaza Dui became well-versed in Tibetan Buddhist wedding customs, funeral rituals, and etiquette. He also learned to craft various farming and household tools.

In 1989, he began studying scripture carving under his father-in-law, Qu Rao (取饶). With natural talent and relentless dedication, he quickly mastered the carving of scriptures and religious motifs such as the “Six-Syllable Mantra” (“六字真言”), “Yongzhong” (“臃肿”), “Seven Auspicious Symbols” (“七瑞相”), and “Langdang” (“郎当”).

Carving Techniques

Gemaza Dui’s stone carvings mainly feature various scriptures and reliefs of Buddhist figures. His Buddhist reliefs are remarkably lifelike, radiating a simple and ancient beauty.

His wooden scripture printing blocks are primarily made from greenwood (青皮), walnut (核桃木), and birch (桦树). He has carved over a dozen types of scriptures, all with highly refined craftsmanship. The printed texts are so precise they resemble computer-generated characters.

Cultural Transmission and Promotion

Gemaza Dui has left his mark throughout Deqin County (德钦县) with his stone and wood carvings. He has actively participated in efforts to preserve intangible cultural heritage. In 2009, he was employed by the Deqin County Tourism Investment Company (德钦县旅投公司) as a craftsman, creating stone carvings at the viewing platform of Feilai Temple (飞来寺). His stone carvings have become popular souvenirs among tourists.

Gemaza Dui expressed a strong desire to take on apprentices, though no one has come forward to learn so far. He once served as an informal stone and wood carving teacher at Puli School (普利学校) in Deqin County, though with limited success. He sincerely hopes young people will come to learn the craft, and he is willing to teach them everything he knows.

Through mentoring apprentices, participating in cultural events, and innovating artistic expressions, Gemaza Dui has successfully carried on and promoted the Tibetan scripture carving tradition, making significant contributions to the preservation and development of this valuable intangible cultural heritage.

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