Heroic Epic: King Gesar of the Tibetan
( 2005-09-13 )

 Plots

The epic, King Gesar, first emerged between the first and sixth centuries -- namely between the fall of the clan society to the establishment of a slave society. During the period, battles between clans, tribes and ethnic groups broke out frequently, serving as a premise for King Gesar.

During the heyday of the Tubo Kingdom, ie, from the seventh to the ninth centuries, Tibetan society experienced enormous changes characterized by the development of productive forces and cultural undertakings, and reinforced national confidence.

The epic gained popularity in Tibetan-inhabited areas, as well as in Mongolia and Tu and Yugu regions. More than 90 percent of King Gesar's singers are Tibetans scattered throughout Tibet, and the Tibetan-inhabited areas of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan. Despite the geographical difficulties (the areas are landlocked), these epic singers tell the same stories. The same sagas are often recounted in areas inhabited by Mongolian and Tibetan ethnic groups outside China.

1. Becoming king

Traditional editions of the epic include "The Chapter on Heaven," "The Birth of the Hero," and "Becoming King by Winning a Horse Race" as the initial chapters. They tell how Gesar was born and how he grew to become king of the State of Ling.

Long, long ago, Tibetan ancestors led a happy life. Then, all of a sudden, wars broke out in the region.

They prayed to the Goddess of Mercy, who sought help from Amitabha in paradise. Amitabha then sent Tuiba Gawa (Gesar), the son of Deqoi Ongya, and the heavenly concubine to rescue the people from their lives of misery.

To enable Gesar to subdue demons and support the weak and the poor, the epic describes him as part deity, part dragon and part ideology. When Gesar was born, he suffered persecution. But, relying on his own strengths and protection from deities, he was able to conquerghosts and demons.

When he was five years old, Gesar was forced to move to the Yellow River area with his mother.