Qamdo Guozhuang Dance

Tibet
🎧  Listen to Introduction

Changdu County is located at the intersection of Sichuan, Tibet and Yunnan provinces in the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is the center of Kham culture and the birthplace of the famous "Guozhuang". According to the lyrics and folk legends of Guozhuang in Changdu County, Changdu Guozhuang existed as early as the Tubo period. In Tibet, Changdu Guozhuang is widely circulated. During festivals, celebrations, and weddings, men and women gather in squares and courtyards, forming a circle, singing and dancing in a clockwise direction. Men wear baggy trousers, and women take off their right arm sleeves and put them behind them. Men and women stand on each side, holding hands in a circle, and sing in groups. Usually, men take the lead in singing, and women follow to sing. The singing is loud and penetrating. The dancers walk along the circle with the song "shaking hands and shaking steps". When the lyrics come to an end, everyone shouts "ah" (onomatopoeia), and suddenly speeds up, spreads their arms, twists their waists, jumps up with big steps, waves their sleeves, sings and dances, runs and jumps, and changes movements. Men's movements are large, with their arms stretched out like eagles circling and flying; women's movements are smaller, with steps and circles like phoenixes flapping their wings and dancing, showing the characteristics of fitness, brightness and liveliness. Highland barley wine and Hada are usually placed in the center of the dance circle. After the dance, the elders or organizers offer wine and Hada, and the friendship between brothers and sisters is sublimated. Qamdo Guozhuang can be divided into three categories: agricultural Guozhuang (including towns), pastoral Guozhuang, and temple Guozhuang. The movements can be roughly divided into two categories, one with slow rhythm and graceful dance posture; the other with fast rhythm and passionate dance. Most of the movements of Qamdo Guozhuang imitate animal forms, such as "tiger descending the mountain", "eagle circling", "peacock spreading its tail", "beast playing", etc. Its performance focuses on the emotional changes and expressions of postures. The rhythm of Qamdo Guozhuang changes three times during the performance. In the prelude, the dancers just need to stand in their positions and take slow steps alternately. The steps are very light and the strength is not strong. After the prelude, the slow dance gradually enters, and finally enters the fast dance stage that best reflects the rough and unrestrained characteristics of Zhuo dance. At this time, the dancers' emotions reach a climax and the scene is extremely warm. Qamdo Guozhuang art fully expresses the Tibetan people's love of life, love of labor, enthusiasm and heroism, showing a kind of beauty of power and national pride. In 2001, Qamdo County was named "Hometown of Guozhuang Art" by the People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Intangible culture related to the heritage

China tourist attractions related to the heritage