





































Education, Language and Sociology Research 

ISSN 2690-3644 (Print) ISSN 2690-3652 (Online) 

Vol. 4, No. 4, 2023 

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108 
 

Original Paper 

Research on the Inheritance and Development of Traditional 

Sports and Cultural Resources of Ganzi Minority Ethnic Groups 

Dai Duo1 

1 Sichuan Minzu College, Kangding, Sichuan, China 

 

Received: September 14, 2023   Accepted: October 3, 2023   Online Published: October 22, 2023 

doi:10.22158/elsr.v4n4p108        URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/elsr.v4n4p108 

 

Abstract 

Ganzi region, located in Sichuan Province of China, is a multi-ethnic area with rich and diverse 

traditional sports and cultural resources of ethnic minorities. The purpose of this paper is to study the 

inheritance and development of traditional sports and cultural resources of ethnic minorities in Ganzi 

region. Through field research and literature study in Ganzi region, this paper explores the traditional 

sports and cultural resources in Ganzi region, including Tibetan chess, Tibetan equestrianism, and 

Tibetan archery, as well as their roles in the local society and university education. The paper also 

analyzes the challenges and opportunities for the development of the heritage of traditional sports and 

cultural resources, and makes some suggestions to promote the heritage and development of these 

valuable cultural resources. The inheritance and development of traditional sports culture of ethnic 

minorities in the Ganzi region is of great significance for the preservation of cultural heritage, the 

promotion of national identity, physical and mental health and social development. 

Keywords 

ethnic minorities, traditional sports, sports culture, development 

 

1. Introduction 

Ganzi region is a region in Sichuan Province, China, which is rich in traditional sports and cultural 

resources of ethnic minorities. The study of the inheritance and development of traditional sports and 

cultural resources of minority ethnic groups in Ganzi aims to understand and protect these valuable 

cultural heritages and to promote the inheritance and development of traditional sports and culture of 

minority ethnic groups. Through the study, the historical origin, characteristics and value of traditional 

sports culture of ethnic minorities in Ganzi region can be explored to provide theoretical support and 

practical guidance for related protection and inheritance work. Ganzi region is located in the western part 

of Sichuan Province, China, and has a diverse geographic environment, including high mountains, 



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canyons, grasslands and other types of landforms. This region is an important part of the Tibetan area, 

with rich cultures of Tibetan, Qiang, Yi, and other ethnic minorities. Historically, the Ganzi region was 

an important node of the ancient Silk Road, connecting the Central Plains and the Southwest. This has 

led to the culture of Ganzi region being influenced by the exchanges between the East and the West, and 

has bred a unique cultural atmosphere. 

The traditional sports and cultural resources of ethnic minorities in the Ganzi region are very rich, unique 

and valuable. In the course of their long-term historical development, ethnic minorities have formed 

unique ways of practicing sports and cultural forms. For example, archery and wrestling of the Tibetans, 

equestrianism of the Qiangs, and top wind ball of the Yis are important parts of the traditional sports 

culture of the ethnic minorities in Ganzi region. These traditional sports and cultural activities are not 

only ornamental and entertaining, but also important expressions of national identity and cohesion. They 

inherit the wisdom and historical memory of the ethnic minorities, embody their adaptation to and 

realization of the natural environment, and have important historical, cultural and social significance. 

Protecting and developing the traditional sports and cultural resources of the Ganzi ethnic minorities can 

help pass on and promote the unique cultures of the ethnic minorities and enhance national unity and 

cultural diversity. At the same time, tapping and promoting these resources can also help to promote 

tourism and enhance regional economic and social development. 

Therefore, studying the geographical, historical and cultural background of the Ganzi region and 

emphasizing the uniqueness and value of the traditional sports and cultural resources of the Ganzi ethnic 

minorities are of positive significance in promoting cultural preservation, tourism development and 

national unity. 

 

2. Traditional Sports and Cultural Resources in the Ganzi Region 

Located in southwestern China, the Ganzi region is a multi-ethnic area with rich and colorful traditional 

sports and cultural resources of ethnic minorities. These traditional cultural resources are not only an 

important part of local ethnic culture, but also carry rich history, culture and life style. In this paper, we 

will study in depth the traditional sports and cultural resources of Ganzi region, including Tibetan chess, 

Tibetan horsemanship, Tibetan archery, etc., as well as their roles in the local society and university 

education. 

Tibetan Chess: A Game of Wisdom 

Tibetan chess is an ancient board game with a long history. In the Ganzi region, Tibetan Chess is regarded 

as a game of wisdom with deep cultural connotations and strategies. This board game consists of 64 

squares with pieces including bishops, knights, rooks, cannons, sergeants and pawns. Each piece has 

unique moves and tactics, and players are required to use them skillfully to win the game. It has a long 

history and is widely spread in all parts of the Tibetan region. Unlike Chinese Chess, the board of Tibetan 

Chess is a rectangle, usually a 19x19 grid, and the pieces are divided into two branches, one for white 

and the other for black. Each piece has a variety of different moves and rules. 



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Tibetan chess is not only a recreational activity, but also an important way of cultural inheritance. By 

learning and participating in Tibetan chess, the younger generation can better understand and feel their 

ethnic culture. Tibetan chess tournaments are also part of social activities, in which people interact with 

each other and share the wisdom of the game, promoting cohesion within the community. 

Hidden Chess is a game full of strategy and intelligence, which not only tests the player’s chess skills, 

but also exercises his thinking ability. The goal of the game is to win by surrounding the opponent’s 

pieces so that they cannot move further. Players need to carefully consider each move and anticipate their 

opponent’s movements while protecting their own pieces. 

The charm of Tibetan chess lies in the fact that it is not only a recreational activity, but also carries rich 

cultural connotations. The pieces and board in the game reflect the cultural characteristics of the Tibetan 

nation, such as the eight auspicious patterns and Tibetan numerals, making the game part of the cultural 

heritage. In addition, Tibetan chess is often combined with Tibetan religious ceremonies and festivals, 

adding a sense of mystery and ritual. 

Tibetan chess is a popular recreational activity in Ganzi Prefecture, especially in winter and during 

festivals, when people often gather together to enjoy this ancient game. Meanwhile, some specialized 

Tibetan chess tournaments are also held in the area, attracting many players and spectators. These 

tournaments are not only a competition of chess skills, but also a cultural exchange and inheritance. 

In conclusion, Tibetan chess, as one of the traditional cultural heritages of Ganzi Prefecture, is not only 

a challenging and interesting game, but also carries rich cultural connotations. It has an important place 

in the local community, not only providing entertainment for people, but also contributing to cultural 

heritage and community cohesion. This makes Tibetan chess an integral part of Ganzi and attracts more 

and more people to experience and explore it. 

 

3. Tibetan Horsemanship: The Art of Riding in the Highlands 

Tibetan horsemanship is a superb equestrian skill in the Ganzi region, closely related to local 

transportation, agriculture and culture. This traditional skill requires the rider to develop a deep 

understanding with the horse in order to cope with the complex and changing geographical and climatic 

conditions of the plateau region. With a history dating back to ancient times, Tibetan horsemanship is 

not only a means of transportation, but also a symbol of culture. Tibetan horsemanship is still an 

important lifestyle and sporting activity in local communities. Farmers still rely on horses for farming 

and transportation, while equestrian competitions are an important part of a traditional festival. The 

legacy of Tibetan horsemanship relies on a master-apprentice approach, with younger generations of 

riders maintaining the tradition of the skill by learning through interaction with the older generation of 

riders. 

 

 

 



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4. Tibetan Archery: A Combination of Skill and Spirituality 

Tibetan archery is a traditional archery sport that combines elements of skill and spiritual culture. Archery 

has a long history in the Ganzi region and was once an important skill for hunting and fighting. Today, 

Tibetan archery has evolved into a sport competition, while still maintaining its traditional values and 

ceremonial nature. 

In Tibetan archery competitions, competitors are required to utilize superb archery skills while 

maintaining inner calm and focus. This process reflects the Tibetan cultural values of internal and 

external balance and spiritual harmony. Tibetan archery competitions are usually accompanied by 

traditional rituals and celebrations, adding to the ceremonial and cultural content of the competition. 

 

5. The Role of Traditional Sports and Cultural Resources 

Traditional sports and cultural resources play an important role in today’s society in many ways. First of 

all, they represent the history and cultural heritage of a community or nation and are valuable cultural 

heritage. Through traditional sports, people can learn about the wisdom and lifestyle of their ancestors, 

maintain cultural identity and pass on historical memory. 

Secondly, traditional sports and cultural resources contribute to the promotion of physical and mental 

health. They emphasize physical strength, flexibility and coordination and encourage participants to 

maintain an active lifestyle. In addition, traditional sports help to reduce stress, increase self-confidence 

and improve mental health. Traditional sports and cultural resources can also promote social interaction 

and community cohesion. Many traditional sports activities are group-based and participants need to 

cooperate, interact and communicate. This helps to build social networks, strengthen community ties and 

enhance social cohesion. 

In addition, traditional sports and cultural resources play an important role in education and the 

transmission of values. Through sport, people can learn important values such as teamwork, fair play and 

perseverance. Traditional sports can also be used as a tool for moral and ethical education to develop 

human character and moral values. 

Finally, traditional sports and cultural resources also have a positive impact on tourism and economic 

development. Some traditional sports activities have become popular tourist attractions for tourists, 

boosting the local economy and creating jobs. 

In summary, traditional sports and cultural resources are more than just a recreational and sporting 

activity; they play an important role in a number of areas, including cultural transmission, physical and 

mental health, social interaction, education, transmission of values and economic development. It is 

therefore crucial to protect and promote the transmission of traditional sports and cultural resources to 

ensure that this valuable cultural heritage can continue to play its multiple roles. 

 

 

 



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6. Challenges to Transmission 

Despite the important cultural and educational value of these traditional sports and cultural resources, 

they face a number of challenges. There are numerous challenges to transmission that affect the 

transmission of culture, knowledge and skills and threaten the preservation and continuation of valuable 

cultural heritage. Some of the major challenges include: 

First, the rapid development of modernization has brought new lifestyles and values, leading to an impact 

on traditional culture. The younger generation may be more susceptible to the influence of popular culture 

and the mass media, with a weakening of interest in traditional culture and a disruption of the means of 

transmission. 

Secondly, the increase in generational fault lines is a serious problem. Many traditional skills and 

knowledge need to be passed on from elders to younger generations, but in modern societies this chain 

of transmission can be broken, leading to a loss of knowledge. 

Third, resource constraints are a common challenge. Cultural transmission requires time, money and 

specialized knowledge. Some traditional communities may lack these resources, thus preventing 

effective cultural transmission. Cultural conflict is also a challenge. In multicultural societies, conflicts 

between cultures may lead to neglect of or discrimination against traditional cultures, threatening cultural 

diversity. The pressures of social change and modernization may lead to the decline of traditional cultures. 

Social changes such as urbanization and rural exodus may make traditional lifestyles and cultural 

transmission difficult. Some traditional cultures face a crisis of loss. Valuable cultural heritage may 

disappear permanently as opportunities for continuous transmission have been lost. There may be 

conflicts between modern education systems and the transmission of traditional culture. Some traditional 

knowledge and values may be incompatible with modern educational standards, complicating cultural 

transmission. The trend of globalization may lead to cultural homogenization and commercialization, 

and some local characteristics and traditional culture may be eroded. The rapid development of 

information technology may lead to the proliferation and distortion of information, complicating the 

transmission of traditional culture. 

In summary, the challenges to transmission are diverse and require comprehensive solutions to protect 

and promote the transmission of culture, knowledge and skills. This requires the concerted efforts of 

governments, social groups, educational institutions and individuals to ensure the sustainability and 

transmission of cultural heritage. 

 

7. Opportunities for Development 

Located in western China, Ganzi Prefecture is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural region with rich 

traditional sports and cultural resources of ethnic minorities. In today’s society, the development of 

traditional sports and cultural resources in Ganzi Prefecture faces numerous opportunities that will help 

to preserve and promote this valuable cultural heritage. 



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First of all, the traditional sports and cultural resources of Ganzi Prefecture have great potential in tourism. 

With the booming development of tourism, more and more tourists want to experience local traditional 

culture and customs. Traditional sports activities, such as Tibetan horse racing, archery and wrestling, 

have a unique appeal and can be a highlight to attract tourists. By developing sports and cultural tourism 

projects, Ganzi Prefecture has the opportunity to attract more tourists and increase tourism revenues, 

while promoting and passing on traditional sports culture. 

Secondly, the transmission of sports and cultural resources can promote cultural education and school 

sports. Schools and educational institutions in Ganzi Prefecture can incorporate traditional sports 

activities into their educational curricula to help students understand and respect local traditional culture. 

This not only contributes to the heritage, but also provides students with opportunities to exercise and 

develop team spirit. At the same time, schools can organize sports and cultural competitions and activities 

to stimulate students’ interest in traditional sports and culture and promote cultural heritage. 

Thirdly, the transmission of sports and cultural resources can promote community cohesion and cultural 

confidence. Traditional sports activities are usually community-based and require collective participation 

and support. Through participation in traditional sports, community members can establish ties and 

enhance community cohesion. In addition, the successful transmission of traditional sports culture can 

enhance the cultural self-confidence of the population, allowing them to display their cultural 

characteristics with greater pride. 

In addition, the inheritance of sports and cultural resources also contributes to the development of 

physical fitness. Traditional sports activities are a healthy way of life, and by participating in these 

activities, people can exercise and improve their physical fitness. In modern society, health consciousness 

is getting stronger and stronger, and traditional sports activities provide people with diversified ways to 

exercise. Therefore, the inheritance of traditional sports culture helps to promote the national fitness 

movement and improve the health of the population. 

Finally, the transmission of traditional sports and cultural resources also helps to promote cultural 

diversity and cross-cultural exchanges. In the era of globalization, communication and integration among 

different cultures have become increasingly important. The traditional sports culture of Ganzi Prefecture 

has unique cultural characteristics that can attract the attention of domestic and foreign audiences and 

scholars. Through international sports competitions and cultural exchange activities, Ganzi Prefecture 

has the opportunity to show its unique cultural heritage to the world and promote cross-cultural exchange 

and understanding. 

There are numerous opportunities for the development of traditional sports and cultural resources in 

Ganzi Prefecture, including tourism potential, cultural education, community cohesion, health promotion 

and cross-cultural exchange. By fully utilizing these opportunities, this valuable cultural heritage can be 

preserved and passed on, while contributing to the development and cultural prosperity of the local 

community. 

 



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8. Recommendations and Outlook 

In order to protect and pass on the traditional sports and cultural resources of the Ganzi region, we can 

take the following measures: 

(1) Formulation of protection policies: Governments should formulate policies to protect and pass on 

these valuable cultural heritages, providing resource support and legal safeguards. 

(2) Strengthening educational cooperation: Universities should cooperate with local communities to carry 

out educational programs on traditional cultural resources and train more inheritors and enthusiasts. 

(3) Awareness-raising: Society should strengthen its awareness and promotion of traditional cultural 

resources and enhance the public’s appreciation of these valuable resources. 

The mode of transmission and current status of traditional sports and cultural resources are key to the 

protection and development of these valuable resources. The following are some of the common ways of 

transmission and the current status: 

Oral transmission: Oral transmission is one of the most common ways of passing on traditional sports 

and cultural resources. Through the master-apprentice system, experience and skills are passed on from 

predecessors to successors, maintaining the continuity of traditional skills. However, due to the special 

nature of oral transmission, knowledge and skills may be at risk of gradual loss. 

Performances and competitions: Performances and competitions of traditional sports and culture are 

organized in many regions to showcase and pass on these resources. These events provide a platform for 

young people to learn and participate in traditional sports and culture. 

School education and community activities: In some places, traditional sports and cultural resources are 

incorporated into school education curricula so that the younger generation can understand and learn 

about them. At the same time, community activities play an important role in passing on the tradition, 

such as folk sports clubs and community organizations, which provide opportunities for students and 

community members to learn and practice traditional sports. 

 

9. Conclusion 

The traditional sports and cultural resources of ethnic minorities in the Ganzi region have rich historical 

and cultural connotations, and play an important role in both cultural heritage and university education. 

However, facing the challenges of modernization, the joint efforts of the government, schools and society 

are needed to protect and pass on these valuable cultural heritages. Through cooperation, policy support 

and the promotion of educational programs, the transmission and development of these traditional 

cultural resources can be realized, thus enriching the cultural life of the Ganzi region, promoting cross-

cultural exchanges and providing a solid cultural foundation for future development. 

 

 

 

 



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Fund Projects 

Ganzi Prefecture Social Sciencefederation of students: Ganzi minority traditional sports culture The 

integration, inheritance and development of cultural resources Expand research (Item Number: 

GZSK202208) 

 

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