Protection, inheritance of the cultural heritage of Manai Gorchom circle dance

When the Manai women perform Gorchom circle dance, each of them wears a three-layer costume: the outermost layer is a big red-and-white-striped cloak, the second layer is a big robe, and the third layer is a skintight long-sleeved blouse and pleated skirt. [Photo/China Tibet Online]
When the Manai women perform Gorchom circle dance, each of them wears a three-layer costume: the outermost layer is a big red-and-white-striped cloak, the second layer is a big robe, and the third layer is a skintight long-sleeved blouse and pleated skirt. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

In the movie "The Manai’s Bride", there was a scene in which a woman in a red-and-white-striped cloak and robe danced with a man in a white hat and yellow pants. Both of them keeping a certain distance away from each other, with the man in the front and the woman at the back, singing and dancing face to face. This is the Manai Gorchom, also dubbed the "living fossil" of Chinese circle dance.^

Manai, located in Ngapa Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, is a small town in Gyarong Tibetan-inhabited area. The dance is known as the court dance of the ancient Dongnv State, a local kingdom that existed from.6 to.7 A.D in east Tibet’s Chamdo Prefecture. Thus the Ministry of Culture named Manai a Chinese folk art township.

The Manai Gorchom circle dance possesses profound ethnic Tibetan cultural elements. It is originated from the story that a legendary folk hero Amig celebrated his victory by performing this dance after successfully defeated the monsters in winter. This charming dancing style features special movements, melodies and tunes, which has beome a peculiar school of the Gorchom circle dance. In 2008, the Manai Gorchom circle dance was listed in the first batch of China’s national intangible cultural heritage.

The Manai Gorchom circle dance is divided into two types: the major and the minor.

The major Gorchom circle dance was established during the Sui Dynasty (581-907 A.D.) and Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). In certain instances, led by the group leader, the dance performances include grand religious scenes with reverence and worshipping. The dance is performed in a grandiose setting with the rich style of ethnic Tibetan’s ceremonial dance.

The minor Gorchom circle dance is part of the folk entertainment, and it can be done at any time and any place. Men and women dance in a circle with the men dancing in the front and the women in the rear. The lyrics for the minor Gorchom circle dance focuses on the themes of physical labor, life, love, and the beauty of one’s hometown. In many cases, performers make up songs as they sing, with fast-paced tempos and rough actions, which make the dance quite popular amongst the young people. 

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Seventy-seven-year-old An Leyun from the Manai Township began dancing the Gorchom circle dance when he was 18. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Seventy-seven-year-old An Leyun from the Manai Township began dancing the Gorchom circle dance when he was 18. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

After completing one Gorchom circle dance, 77-year-old An Leyun is still breathing evenly.

"I’ve been dancing for almost 60 years," he said while spinning a prayer wheel.

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"It’s so wonderful that I want to jump!" But he said that the Manai Gorchom circle dance is not easy to learn because the melody is more difficult with steps.

Since the inheritance of Manai Gorchom circle dance totally depends on oral instructions, only 30 to 40 dances are left today from the previous 100 ones. According to Long Zewang, an inheriter of the Manai Gorchom circle dance, in order to better preserve this traditional cultural heritage, the local government has invited specialists to compose music for the Gorchom circle dances, and approved seven state-level inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. In the meanwhile, it also provides special fund for the establishment of the Manai Gorchom Culture Learning Institute and Gorchom Association. The groups perform at weddings and festivals, and organize the dancing activity for students every Tuesday.

"Now more and more people have known about the Manai Gorchom circle dance, which is also good for our tourism here," said Long Zewang.

More importantly, through the eyes of others, they have come to understand the importance of the inheritance of the ethnic cultural heritage, he added.

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In terms of the formations of the Manai Gorchom circle dance, the men and women in the dance group move in opposite directions. When men and women dance together, they must keep a certain distance apart, which show respect and piety toward the women. [Photo/China Tibet Online]
In terms of the formations of the Manai Gorchom circle dance, the men and women in the dance group move in opposite directions. When men and women dance together, they must keep a certain distance apart, which show respect and piety toward the women.