Draggo County, Garze Prefecture, Sichuan Province, is located on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai Xizang Plateau and in the hinterland of the western Sichuan Plateau. It is the core carrier of Khampa culture and an important hub for multi-ethnic cultural exchange and integration in Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, Gansu and other regions. Its unique geographical location and long cultural history have allowed this land to accumulate a cultural heritage that has lasted for thousands of years, preserving a large number of Tibetan ancient books with rich types and regional characteristics preserved among the people.

Unlike the religious scriptures collected by large monasteries, the vast majority of the Tibetan ancient books in Draggo are handwritten and inherited by the local people for generations, which are more closely related to daily life. They record various aspects of the production methods, folk rituals, festivals, belief systems, astronomical cognition, and ethnic changes of the ordinary people in the ancient Khampa region.These precious folk documents are not only a living carrier of excellent traditional Tibetan culture, but also a true witness to the long-term integration, coexistence, and mutual assistance of various ethnic groups in the eastern part of the Qinghai Xizang Plateau. They are valuable cultural resources for interpreting the diverse and integrated pattern of Chinese civilization and forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation.

Ancient books collected by villager in Draggo County

In order to comprehensively understand the ancient book resources collected by the people in the county, systematically safeguard the cultural roots, and fill the gaps in grassroots ancient book protection work, a comprehensive survey and systematic sorting of Tibetan ancient books in the county was carried out from 2023 to 2026.

A total of 6520 Tibetan ancient books and documents have been registered and stored in the county, all of which have been digitized, cataloged, and entered into the provincial ancient book management system. More than 5850 items related to traditional folk rituals, handicrafts, folk medicine, biographies, local legends, and other intangible cultural resources have been synchronously organized.

Ancient books preserved among the people in Draggo County: Tibetan traditional calendar  charts

In terms of subject matter, the folk preservation of ancient books in Draggo County has a complete range of categories, a comprehensive system, and extensive coverage, forming a complete local literature lineage with folk life as the main body, religious culture as the support, history and calendar as the characteristics, and folk skills as the extension. It comprehensively showcases the rich connotation and diverse characteristics of Khampa folk culture.

Ancient books preserved among the people in Draggo County:The traditional music score of Bon religion.

The handwritten rare book of conch juice collected in Jirong monastery, Draggo County.

Ancient books preserved among the people in Draggo County:The Four Classics of the Near Path.

The ancient book survey conducted in Jirong monastery in Draggo County.