Gongbu dance “Bo,” also known as Gongbu “Qieba Bo” or colloquially as “Linzhi Dance,” resembles the Guozhuang dance. The number of performers can vary, with both men and women participating freely, ranging from a dozen to hundreds. The performance takes the form of a large circle, with men on one side and women on the other, or alternating between male and female circles. The “bo ben” (lead dancers and organizers) stand at the forefront of each group.
During the performance, men sing while both men and women dance, alternating between slow and fast rhythms. The slow rhythm involves singing without dancing, while the fast rhythm consists of a form of call-and-response singing and dancing between men and women, with increasing speed and intensity during the climax. The content includes praises for the snowy mountains, hometown, religion, and love, and improvisation may occur during peak performances, adding vibrancy and diversity.
The attire and props for “Bo” include men wearing “jia xiabo duo” felt hats, “gu xiu” Tibetan robes, “suo ba” tall boots, “a long” earrings on the left ear, and “ba chi” long knives tucked into their belts, holding “xiu jian” in their left hand. Women wear “suo linxiamu” small hats, “gu xiu” sleeveless robes, “qia guo” decorative belts around the waist, “a long” small earrings, “si xia” necklaces, “suo ba” women’s boots, and hold “da da” colored arrows in their left hand.
Basic movements include stepping forward, swinging hands, lifting legs for small jumps, stomping steps, inclined palm support, kicking steps, one-step-at-a-time, and waving flags with the wind. The basic characteristics are the gentle and graceful nature of the slow rhythm and the lively and cheerful demeanor of the fast rhythm.
Visitor Tips:
- Linzhi Gongbu “Qieba Bo”: Included in the fourth batch of autonomous region-level intangible cultural heritage list in Tibet.
- Other entries in the fourth batch of autonomous region-level intangible cultural heritage list in Tibet include “Gongbu Folk Songs.” Gongbu folk songs encompass various forms and styles, including drinking songs, pastoral songs, duets, working songs, arrow songs, nursery rhymes, and performances with the six-stringed qin. They can be categorized based on singing style and melody into various types such as “lu” (mountain songs), “xie” (circle songs and dances), “daxie” (arrow songs), “zhuo” or “bo” (Guozhuang dance), and “nie bai xie” (songs of fishermen). The lyrics are rich and diverse in content.
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