Ancient Tibetan epic preserved

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-15-2008 09:04

For the past decade, the Central Government has worked to preserve traditional Tibetan culture. One example is King Gesar, a heroic epic passed down orally from one generation to the next.

86-year-old Sang Zhu is one of a handful of people who can sing the Tibetan oral epic "King Gesar".

86-year-old Sang Zhu is one of a handful of people who can sing the Tibetan oral epic "King Gesar". The legend of Gesar has circulated in the Chinese regions, including the Tibetan and MOgolian-inhabited areas, for over1,000 years. Balladeers sing and tell the story.

Dubbed an Orient lliad, the Legend of King Gesar has been passed down, orally from generation to generation by illiterate folk artists, like Sang Zhu. Today, the epic still enjoys widespread popularity in Tibetan areas, thanks to the singing of local bards over the years.

The government provides Sang Zhu with tapes and recorders to record his singing at his leisure. And researchers will then compile the lyrics.

Sang Zhu also tells us the government has provided him with free board and medical coverage since 2000. And he receives a monthly payment of 1,500 yuan, in addition to his tape recording bonus. Sang Zhu is happy that more and more people are getting a chance to appreciate the epic.

Tibetologists say the government began its work on the legend of Kong Gesar in 1979. Researchers are still looking for new ballad singers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and hope to collect more oral material relating to the epic. With the help of 57 balladeers, they have already compiled 30 volumes on the Legend, each book containing 350,000 characters.

Cewang Jigmed, researcher of Tibet Academy of Social Sciences, said, "The Legend of Kong Gesar is an encyclopedia. It relates to the politics, economy, religion, military affairs, culture and language of the Tibetans. It's a cultural heritage of great value for research. "

Sang Zhu will soon go back to his hometown in Tibet's countryside with his son and granddaughter. He says the Plateau is his home, and it's the only place in the world where he can get inspiration to record his belived Legend of Gesar.

The story of the King of Gesar is called the only living oral epic in the world. Tibetan experts say all the oral history of the epic will be compiled into written documents in five years' time.

Editor:Zhang Ning