I chose to share a video of a Tibetan Skeleton Dance! This performance was recorded at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2002. The Tibetan Skeleton dance is categorized as a “Cham Dance”. “Cham” is a Tibetan word that means to “dance” or “jump”. Cham Dances are believed to help individuals free themselves from anger, delusion, pride, and envy, and have traditionally been a way to re-enact Tibetan religious stories.

Cham Skeleton Dances are performed by monks adorned in elaborate masks and costumes. These dances are intended to inspire reflection as to the impermanence of life. The particular Skeleton Dance I have linked demonstrates two monks taking on the role of Dharmapalas: Tibetan protectors of cemetery grounds. Many instruments can be seen in this performance. The temple tuba can easily be perceived as it is 5 meters long and emanates almost guttural sounds very deep in tone. The growling “slides” of the tuba seem to evoke a sense of urgency and accent the periods when the dancers approach the ground in their movements. The cymbals are essential in establishing the rhythmic pacing of different sections of the performance. A performer also beats a drum called a Rnga (or Lag-Rnga). The Rgna is a double-headed frame drum that is played with a sickle-shaped drumstick. This drum helps to maintain a steady beat within the pace established by the cymbals.

I selected this performance to share because I was very interested in how instruments are integrated into the cultural and religious practices of Tibet. The skeleton dance is very entrancing, and I believe the instruments amplify the intensify of the dance in a very intriguing way.

Link to performance: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vooQpqcAeJQ

Sources:

“Tibet Budhist ‘Rnga’ (Lag Rnga).” Hartenberger World Music Collection, https://wmic.net/tibet-buddhist-rnga-lag-rnga/.

“Tibetan Skeleton Dance.” Smithsonian,

https://www.si.edu/es/object/tibetan-skeleton-dance%3Ayt_vooQpqcAeJQ.

“Cham Dance: A Religious Performance by Tibetan Monks.” GoToTibet.com, https://www.gototibet.com/tibetan-culture/cham-dance.html#:~:text=Cham%20Dance’s%20accompaniment%20is%20all,changes%20of%20the%20big%20cymbal.

“Skeleton Dance Costume.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/69054.