Introduction to the Xiba Bear Fighting Festival
Xiba Village, nestled within Duoji Township of Bomi County, Nyingchi, celebrates the “Bear Fighting Festival,” also known as the “Wosang Festival,” on the 15th day of the fifth Tibetan month each year. The festival, characterized by its long history and distinctive village-level celebrations, revolves around activities of “shooting arrows and horse racing,” denoting the combination of archery and equestrian skills in the festivities.
Festival Celebrations
On the festival day, villagers don their finest attire and gather at the Duomu Sacred Mountain to perform Wosang, a ritual burning of fragrant herbs and cypress branches to honor the gods of heaven and earth. As the first rays of the sun peek over the mountains, the community lights up the Wosang smoke, carrying prayer flags and wishes, praying for favorable weather and auspicious events.
As the day brightens, the villagers engage in singing and dancing. Women wear satin long-sleeved shirts, silk Tibetan dresses, and sleeveless Gabu jackets adorned with gold and silver jewelry, while men wear Tibetan attire with bold and strong appearances. The dance starts slowly and accelerates, with men’s steps being large and vigorous and women’s being gentle and graceful, creating a cheerful and festive atmosphere.
The Bear Fighting Tradition
The highlight of the festival is the bear fighting performance. Several men, holding flags of five colors, sweets, offerings, and incense tools, approach the altar to light incense sticks and start praying. Suddenly, seven bears, carrying spiked branches and slowly approaching the crowd, cause a stir among the villagers. Three hunters rush forward, signaling the start of the “bear fight.”
This event is rich with regional characteristics; the bears incite fear, the hunters add humor, and the villagers, both performers and spectators, join in mimicking dog barks, surrounding the bears. The hunters, while managing the bears, keep the crowd entertained with jokes and mock actions of shooting arrows and guns.
The most amusing part is when the villagers mimic dog barks, prompting real dogs to join in, creating a hilariously chaotic scene. When laughter fills the air, the hunters and bears visit each tent to perform and share drinks with the hosts, culminating in a spirited climax.
Closing Rituals and Conservation Message
After visiting all tents, the village elders gather in the center, and the hunters demonstrate the skill of bear killing and skinning. This is followed by an important message on wildlife conservation in the sacred mountain and the importance of leaving a legacy for future generations.
The festival ends with the hunters offering white hadas to the elders, symbolizing their commitment to becoming good villagers who protect wildlife and follow the law. The men dressed as bears then perform their final act of burning incense and praying, marking a successful conclusion to the festival.
Visiting Information and Recognition
- Awards: The Xiba Bear Fighting Festival was awarded the third prize at the 2nd National Folk and Folk Art Video Collection “Kangyuan Cup” and was featured on CCTV’s “Song of the Forest,” receiving high praise.
- Cultural Heritage: In 2010, the festival was included in Tibet’s third batch of autonomous regional intangible cultural heritage, preserving this unique tradition for future generations.
