Zha Ba – Representative Inheritor of Tibetan Xianzi Dance in Deqin County, Diqing 

Zhaba (扎巴), the representative inheritor of the Tibetan Xianzi Dance (藏族弦子舞) in Yunling Township (云岭乡), Deqin County (德钦县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), is devoted to the protection and transmission of this unique Tibetan cultural art form. As a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, he actively participates in the preservation of Xianzi Dance by teaching the younger generation the dance techniques and the rich cultural meanings behind the art, ensuring its continuity.

Cultural Events

Zhaba frequently participates in various cultural activities such as the Xianzi Music Festival (弦子音乐节) and Xianzi Dance Competitions (弦子擂台赛). Through these events, he showcases the charm of Xianzi Dance, attracting greater public interest and inspiring more people to learn and appreciate this traditional art form.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

With the support of relevant departments, Deqin County (德钦县) has established the Xianzi Transmission Center (弦子传习中心), which serves as a valuable platform for the preservation and development of Xianzi Dance. As a core inheritor, Zhaba plays a key role in teaching and promoting the art within the community.

Artistic Characteristics

The Tibetan Xianzi Dance in Deqin (德钦) is a comprehensive traditional performance that integrates singing, dancing, music, and folk literature. It is accompanied by the biyang (毕央), a traditional horsehair fiddle, with men and women singing and dancing in pairs. The performance style is free and unrestrained. The melodies are short and powerful, with regular rhythms and graceful tunes, making them well-suited for group dancing and choral singing.

Social and Cultural Value

Xianzi Dance is not only an important means for the Tibetan people in Deqin County (德钦县) to express their emotions and thoughts, but also serves as a cultural bridge that enhances ethnic cohesion and promotes social harmony. In 2009, the Deqin Tibetan Xianzi Dance was included in the second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage protection lists in Yunnan Province (云南省).

Through mentoring apprentices, participating in cultural activities, and incorporating innovative elements, Zhaba has successfully preserved and promoted the Tibetan Xianzi Dance, making significant contributions to the protection and development of this valuable intangible cultural heritage.

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