Ceremonial acrobatic singing and dancing performance- Chakhen Tagshur
2 min read“Chakhen Tagshur”is acrobatic rope sliding，also known as”Chakhen” in short.It is normally performed by a leading player，Chakhen，a comedian called”Agu，”and more than 10 vocal accompanists and controllers of the ropes.They strike thrilling poses such as eagle flying，tocreate different unique artistic models.First，a sacrificial ceremony is held to accompany the loud and long chorus.Then”Chakhen”and”Agu” perform a duet while talking and singing.Finally，in the song of praise，”Chakhen”completes all the specified acts on the high wood pole and quickly slides down.”Chakhen”gives full play to Tibetans’talent in singing and vocal accompaniment through the whole performance，adding new color to ancient acrobatics.
Jidda-a Nuo singing and dancing form to withstand hail
In ancient times, people often suffered damage from hail. In line with Bon religious beliefs, the damage caused by hail was seen as evil sent by the goddess. Therefore people summoned the spirit by means of performance and chopped off its talons and finally defeated the evil that caused the damage. Gradually Jidda-a Nuo singing and dancing form, was formed. This form of art is called “Jidda Jimu,”meaning “father and mother.”During the performance, the father wears a white mask and the mother a green mask, four uncles have no masks while the four comedians,”Azare,”wear goat skin masks. Accompanied by a drum and cymbal, they sing and dance with oxtail, antelope horn, blade, bow, wooden fork and wooden male genitalia and other properties. This formof art is currently popular in Ngangring County, Lhatse County, Dingri County and Sagya County in Shigatse, which are often hit by hail.
The performers of Jidda-the form of Nuo singing and dancing for repelling hail disasters Jidda is performed only after a hail disaster with the aim of revealing to the public the evil which caused the damage and chopping off its talons, and to get donations. However, the tour show must end before the eve of New Year for the performers to wash off the evil influence inthe river and destroy all the properties before getting home. Without any hail disaster, Jidda is not performed to avoid attracting the attention of ghosts or gods.
