The “Khre Tse Bde Bzhi” Of Rebgong: The Evolution Of Identity And Adaption Of Culture In The Four Villages Of The Rongwo Guchu River Valley

Rebgong is located in the transition zone of Tibet Plateau and Loess Plateau,currently one of the Tibetan cultural centers of Amdo,and Rongwo Monastery((?))once was both the religious and political center((?))of Rebgong.Long ago,Yapjé Lama Shar Kelden Gyamtso((?)),the head Lama of Rongwo Monastery and the Rong-wo Nangso((?))had been both the spiritual and political leader of Rebgong’s twelve shogkha((?) literally,wing or part).The subject of this dissertation,the Four Villages((?))of Rebgong,make up four of these twelve shogkha—namely Nyentok((?)),Gomar((?))/Gasar((?)),Thojya W?kor((?)),and SenggéShong((?)).Located along the Rongwo Guchu((?))river valley,these villages are famous for being a center for Tibetan arts in Rebgong.Out of the four villages,three speak a mixed language of Tibetan and Mongolian,and one speaks a mixed language of Tibetan and Chinese.The term for“village”(khretse)used here is a transliteration of the Chinese word for village(zhaizi寨子),which is generally used in relation to military strongholds for the Chinese central government.In Chinese historical documents,this area is generally called Baoanzhan Zu(保安站族),Sizhaizi Zu(四寨子族),and the“Four Villages of Baoan”(Baoansitun保安四屯).Over the past one thousand years,the terms of identity,has been changed from the native of Tibet(Tu-fan)to garrison,to district of Rong-wo Nangso,and finally to the Tu people(Tuzu)in the present era.In the terms of religion,the four villages have changed from a multi-faith community to the religio-political system of Rongwo Monastery.The present dissertation specifically analyzes these cultural adaptions,combining historical diachronic methods as well as anthropological synchronic research to discuss the historical development of these changing identities.The practical methods utilized by the four villages for the purpose of survival,as well as the changes in self-identity that occurred during this period of cultural adaption will also be analyzed.Generally speaking,the present dissertation attempts to provide a vivid case study that might act as a model for future research into the ethnic groups along the Sino-Tibetan cultural border.The structure and contents are as follow:Chapter Ⅰ.General background,the significance of the topic,research methods,and main conclusions.Chapter Ⅱ.The geographical and cultural environment,the political history with regard to the Chinese central government,and the history of the Four Villages.Chapter Ⅲ.The historical memory of the origins of the Four Villages according to traditional Tibetan and Chinese literature and folktales.Chapter Ⅳ-Ⅵ.The bulk of the dissertation.A discussion of the mechanisms,methods,and processes of cultural adaption in the conversion from popular religion to Tibetan Buddhism.Chapter Ⅶ.The language,clothing,and local customs ofthe Four Villages.Chapter Ⅷ.The nature of self-identity after cultural adaption and integration,and dynamic processes of modern cultural constructionand cultural awareness.