Archive

Elements

Zhana Ngacham: Black Hat Drum Dance
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00000017
    Country Bhutan
    ICH Domain Performing Arts
    Address
    The Black Hat Drum Dance is normally preformed during the Tshechu (Annual Mask Dance Festivals) and Drub or Drub-chen (Grand Ritual Ceremonies) are conducted in various heritage sites, especially Dzongs (fortresses), monasteries and temples in Bhutan.
    Year of Designation 1971
Description The name Zhana Ngacham comes from the zhana (black hats) worn by the dancers and the use of the ngachung (small drum) during the Cham performance. It is another form of Zhana Cham (black hat dance). Usually, the dance is performed mainly by monks in dzongs (fortresses), monasteries and temples during Tshechu (annual mask dance festival) and also during Drubchen (large ritual ceremonies). However, sometimes the dancers are replaced by lay people if there are no monastic facilities in the community. The dance falls under the category of Tsun cham (monastic mask dance performances). The dancers wear a long brocade robe called phoegho with long and wide sleeve ends, a dorji gong (a crossed vajra collar) over the shoulder, and two phoe-cho or phoe-tog, a horn-like tool attached to either side of the hips that helps the robe turn smoothly and elegantly as the dancers twirl. The distinctive feature of the Black Hat dance is the black, spherical hat with decorations in the shape of a human skull and peacock quill, and Thro-pang, an angry face wrapped around the front of the abdomen. Zhana Ngacham is usually performed by 21 dancers under the direction of Cham-pon (dance leader) and Cham-jug (deputy leader). In the seventeenth century, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651) is revered for giving more importance to the performance of such dances and including them in the curricula of the central monastery under the title Gar-thig-yang-sum (mask dances, proportions [mandala drawing] and ritual intonation) to establish them in the field of cultural heritage in Bhutan.
Social and cultural significance "The dance of the black hat is one of the most esoteric and powerful practices of Vajrayāna Buddhism. Tantric Buddhism, based on Mahāyāna Buddhism and its theory of altruism to lead all sentient beings to liberation, but endowed with extraordinarily expedient methods, advocates the use of violent and fearful methods out of ruthless compassion to tame unruly beings. The Black Hat Dancer represents a master of Tantric or Vajrayāna Buddhism who possesses the spiritual power to subdue a demonic force and transform the negative energy into a positive one." It is believed that the elements of earth, water, fire, and air are pacified by the performance of this dance, making them fertile and supportive of the initiatives. To overcome the poisonous and contagious suffering that hinders the accomplishment of Buddhism, the masters of the Vajrayana tradition employ skillful means. The dancers beating their drums proclaim victory over the evil spirits. Zhana Nga Cham depicts this process of the victory of good over evil. The sound of the drums represents religion and the subtle form of the Buddha's teachings.
Transmission method The transmission of the mask dance is based solely on the embodiment and memorization of the choreographies and learning the skills of using the drum. The monks who are selected for the mask dance must attend the Gar-cham (mask dance) course, as it is one of the main curricula of the Central Monastic central Body. The lay people who are to perform this particular dance at their local festivals learn either from an experienced monk or from a Cham-pon (mask dance leader) who is available in their community.
Community The dance is performed mainly by monks who in honourific term is referred as Tsunpa living and studying in the Central Monastic Body, Dzongs (Fortresses) or in the Monasteries. However, sometimes the dancers are replaced by lay people if there are no monastic facilities in the community. Data collected by: Mr. Yeshi Lhendup, NLAB
Keyword
Information source
National Library and Archives of Bhutan
https://www.library.gov.bt/archive/

Materials related to

Photos