Losang Badro--an intangible cultural heritage inheritor of "Fabric Changmo Mask"

By Zhi Xinghua, Tenzin Sydron Source:xzxw.com 2023-04-08

Photo shows mini masks made by Losang Badro. [Photo/Lu Wenjing, Lhapa Sangmo]

In 2019, 43-year-old Losang Badro was named as a county-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in Doilungdeqen District, and the "Fabric Changmo Mask" he made was selceted as the Doilung District Intangible Cultural Heritage Project. In 2022, Doilung's mask-making skill was rated as the sixth batch of Lhasa Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Project.

Photo shows a corner of Losang Badro's shop.[Photo/Lu Wenjing, Lhapa Sangmo]

Due to the local unique cultural environment, folk customs and religious beliefs, the mask art in Xizang, which is a special cultural product of this nationality in its long history, has its distinct regional characteristics and unique forms of expression.

Photo shows Losang Badro making a traditional opera mask.[Photo/Lu Wenjing, Lhapa Sangmo]

In 1997, with a passion for painting, Losang Badro went to Ganden Monastery to learn how to make masks and clay Buddha statues. "In the beginning, I learned these skills just to have a craft to feed my family. Unexpectedly, I opened a shop and expanded the scale to develop into a cooperative. Not only the support funds, but the government also let me participate in entrepreneurial training, which provided me with many opportunities to learn and exchange." Losang Badro said that the development of excellent traditional culture in Xizang provides a development platform for craftsmen. The increase of local opera performance teams in Xizang enables him to receive many orders from units and individuals every year.

Photo shows a corner of Losang Badro's shop.[Photo/Lu Wenjing, Lhapa Sangmo]

Up to now, traditional masks are earnestly made by craftsmen with diligence and persistence, which cannot be replaced by modern machines. However, the production, protection, continuation and recreation of this skill require more traditional craftsmen with perseverance. As a recognized inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, Losang Badro hopes to make the mask-making skill be seen and loved by more people through his own efforts.

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