Zandan Temple, Qiangmu
The creation and spread of temple dance (Qiangmu) are closely related to the occurrence and development of Tibetan Buddhism. It implies that temples and people drive away all evil in the coming year and usher in peace and good fortune in the world. The Qiangmu of Zandan Temple belongs to the most important temple sacrificial dance of the Gelug Sect in the category of religious dance. For the people of Suo County, the Qiangmu activity of Zandan Temple is an important and indispensable activity every year. On the birthday of Sakyamuni, the New Year and important religious festivals of Tibetan Buddhism, Zandan Temple will hold a grand Qiangmu activity. In order to be able to attend the sacrificial activities in person, tens of thousands of believers, some of whom are hundreds of miles away, will set off with their families to the temple several days in advance to worship the gods and pray for themselves and their families to be safe and auspicious. The dances in the Qiangmu of Zandan Temple are mostly a mixture of "animal dance" and "dance of ritual instruments", and also include the large-scale "witch dance" of "bird crown and tiger belt beating drums" in the folk. During the performance, there is no singing, the atmosphere is solemn and solemn, and it has a great deterrent effect. The last part of the Qiangmu activity is "exorcising evil spirits". The various gods gather big and small ghosts on the ghost head "Dorma" made of butter and tsampa powder. The ghost head "Dorma" is escorted by the gods and surrounded by many Tibetans. It is moved to an open space a certain distance away from the temple and burned to ashes. At this point, the Qiangmu ritual activities of the temples and the people to expel all the evil spirits in the coming year and usher in peace and good fortune in the world are all completed. (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)