Shannanmen Baxi

Name of Chinese national intangible cultural heritage: shannanmen Baxi

Applicant: Tibet Autonomous Region

Item No.: 225

Project No.: Ⅳ - 81

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: Traditional Drama

Region: Tibet Autonomous Region

Type: new item

Applicant: Tibet Autonomous Region

Protected by: Cultural Bureau of Cuona County, Tibet (bureau of cultural relics)

Introduction to shannanmen Baxi:

Applicant: Tibet Autonomous Region

Menba opera is a kind of traditional opera of Menba nationality, which is popular in the Menba inhabited area on the south slope of the Himalayas, that is, the lebu District of Cuona County in Shannan area of Tibet. Because it directly adopts the Tibetan script of Tibetan opera, it is called "menbaram" by the people, that is, Menba Tibetan opera. It is said that at the end of the 18th century, qiangbakron brought back a Tibetan script of Prince Northan from Lhasa, from which Menba opera began to spread in Loeb.

The performance of Menba opera is in the order of "dunqiang" in the opening play, "Xiong" in the main play, and "Zhaxi" in the ending play. Only six actors and one accompanist of drums and cymbals participate in the performance. All the actors are male. "Dunqiang" is also called "qionggen zawasong", which means "three basic sources". It refers to the three characters in the opening ceremony of Tibetan opera, viz. Wenba, Jialu and ram. These three characters turn into six characters in the opening ceremony of Menba opera, such as fisherman (old Wenba), fisherman (little Wenba), Jialu, Xianweng, Fairy (RAM) and dragon girl. The six characters dance, sing and perform in the ceremony, and perform in sacrifice to the sun god, the deer god, the elephant god, the yak God, the deer god and the stone mill God. After the beginning of the main play, the six actors not only play the six roles in the play, but also play other roles in turn. The costumes and costumes do not change. Generally, in addition to six actors and one accompanist, there is also a manager who will take part in the opening performance. He will wear black Tibetan clothes, a "bodu" hat, hold up a banner of "Duga day", the God of protection. He will be the first one to go around the stage and lead six actors to perform. In addition to playing small drums and cymbals, he should also be familiar with all the plot, drama, singing, dancing and performance, so as to make the points of drums and cymbals match the rhythm of the whole drama. The performance of Menba opera originates from the folk dance, song and dance and religious art performance of the Menba nationality, and its music originates from the folk song "SAMA" (wine song) of the Menba nationality. In addition, it also absorbs the rap music, ancient songs, Elegy and religious music of the Menba nationality. The costumes of Menba opera are mainly based on the life costumes of Menba people, and are also influenced by Tibetan costumes. During the Tibetan New Year in the Loeb region, it is stipulated that the performance of "King nohsangfa" should be performed continuously for seven days, one period a day.

As it is located in the remote border area of Tibet, the Menba opera in Loeb has ceased its activities for half a century before the founding of new China. After the relevant departments in Tibet took measures to rescue and support, it has been partially restored. But there are only amateur performances.