Key Information

Photographer

Hugh E. Richardson

Collection

Hugh Richardson

Date of Photo

1936-1950

Region

Gyantse >

Accession number

2001.59.3.22.1

Image Dimensions

85 X 56 mm

Two masked dancers wearing ritual robes and holding ritual implements. The dancer on the right is wearing the mask of a deer and the one on the left, that of an ox.

Further Information

Activity

Dancing , Performing

Photographic Process

Negative film nitrate

Date Acquired

Donated August 2001

Donated by

The executors of the estate of Hugh E. Richardson

Expedition

Hugh E. Richardson

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Notes on negative album - '3' 'MUG, LHOBRAG GORGE. GYANTSE. KHAMPA DANCERS. CHIPSHA MEN, CHOPA. APSOS DREPUNG. NORBULING. DEKYI. POTALA'

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Notes on negative index - 'do.' [Cham dancers, Gyantse].

Other Information - Background: The animal mask dancers are characters in religious dance known as Cham, performed generally in all parts of Tibet on the 29th day of 12th Tibetan month. The animal mask dances represent the attendants of Mahakala, a wrathful deity who is regarded as the protector of Buddhism. [TS 3/2/2005]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Cham dancers in Gyantse" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_2001.59.3.22.1.html>.

For more information about photographic usage or to order prints, please visit the The Pitt Rivers Museum.