Exploring Jiarong Tibetan's Diverse Religious Culture through the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Buzha Drama

Abstract

The Buzha drama of the Garzê Tibetan people is a unique “ritual dance” performed periodically in various religious settings. This form of performance, which falls between theater and dance, reflects the diverse cultural and belief systems of the local people and has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage for protection in recent years. Tribal organizations integrate various religious and cultural forms, including folk beliefs, Bon, Tibetan Buddhism, local customs, and regional knowledge into folk song and dance, transforming them into psychological customs and ethnic emotions, penetrating cultural elements. This article takes an anthropological perspective and examines the relationship between the artistic representation of the Buzha drama and the region's life, spiritual beliefs, and ethnic identity through prop making, ritual procedures, and dance content. The article also explores the characteristics and values of the diverse religious culture of the Garzê Tibetan people.