The tent is made of 100 tiger skins, the only one of its kind in the world

In the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum, there is a remarkable treasure - the tiger skin tent, which is like an elder of history, quietly telling stories of the past and carrying the heavy memory of Tibetan culture and history. The tiger skin tent has a history of hundreds of years and can be regarded as a rare gem in the cultural heritage of the Tibetan people.

Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum, Sichuan Province Photo source: Internet

The tiger skin tent is the only "hundred tiger tent" in the world made of 100 tiger skins. The tent roof and skirt are made of 100 tiger skins, and the bottom is decorated with otter skin, bear skin, leopard skin, etc. The whole tent is composed of two fan-shaped tent roofs and four nearly rectangular tent enclosures. The main fabric of the tent is tiger skin, followed by leopard skin and otter skin. The reddish-brown coarse cotton lining is surrounded by auspicious patterns made of seashells.

The "Hundred Tigers Tent" is a cultural relic from the Yuan Dynasty, and is the official tent of the Maoya Tusi in Litang. The ancestors of the Maoya Tusi moved here from the Bayankala Mountains in Qinghai because of the abundant grass and water in the Maoyaba grassland in Litang. The Kham people called it "Yongzhuben", and the Han people called it "Maoya Tusi". The tiger-skin tent is exquisitely made. It was the official tent of the Tusi at that time. It was luxurious and grand, fully demonstrating the power and majesty of "Yongzhuben". It is a rare physical material for studying the Tusi culture in the Kham area and has important cultural relic value.

Tiger skin tent picture source: Internet

Making tiger skin tents requires a high level of craftsmanship. Craftsmen first carefully select tiger skins to ensure the texture, grain and integrity of the skins. Then, they use a special tanning process to treat the skins to make them soft and tough for subsequent splicing and sewing. During the splicing process, craftsmen skillfully combine the skins according to their size, shape and grain to form the main body of the tent. Every stitch and every thread is full of the craftsmen's hard work. They use special yak wool yarn, which is strong and durable, and can ensure that the tent remains strong in long-term use and wind and rain. In addition, the tents are often decorated with various exquisite traditional Tibetan patterns, some of which are embroidered with colorful silk threads, and some are painted with special pigments. These patterns include the eight auspicious treasures, auspicious beasts, flowers, etc. Each pattern contains profound religious and cultural implications. For example, the eight auspicious treasures symbolize auspiciousness, perfection, happiness and other beautiful meanings.

Tibetan Buddhism auspicious eight treasures pattern picture source: Internet

Tiger-skin tents have important significance in Tibetan history and culture. In religion, they often appear in some important sacrificial ceremonies. In the religious beliefs of ancient Tibetans, tiger skins are believed to have sacred power. Tiger-skin tents are set up in sacrificial places, as if they have become a special medium for communication between humans and gods. In the military, tiger-skin tents are an important symbol of the army when it goes out to war or is stationed. The leader's tiger-skin tent is located at the core of the camp. It is the command center and the spiritual sustenance of the soldiers. The existence of tiger-skin tents can greatly boost morale and let the soldiers feel the majesty and power of the leader. In social life, tiger-skin tents have witnessed countless major celebrations and tribal gatherings. On these occasions, people sing and dance around the tiger-skin tents and hold various ceremonies, such as weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies. It has become a symbol of unity and joy in the lives of the Tibetan people.

With the change of the times, the tiger-skin tent has gradually withdrawn from people's daily life, but as the treasure of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum, it still shines brightly. It is a witness of history, allowing us to travel through time and space and appreciate the glory and splendor of ancient Tibetan society. Its existence also reminds us to protect and inherit the unique and great national culture of the Tibetans, so that the cultural value contained in the tiger-skin tent can be passed down forever and become a shining pearl in the cultural treasure house of the Chinese nation. Through various methods such as research, display and education, more people can understand the tiger-skin tent and the story behind it, so that this precious cultural heritage can be revitalized in modern society.