Exploring the Impact of Cultural Policies on the Inheritance and Performance of Ersu Tibetan Folk Songs

This paper explores the effects of cultural policies on the performance and inheritance of Ersu Tibetan folk songs in Xieluo Township, Sichuan Province, China. The Ersu Tibetans, a small branch of the Tibetan ethnic group, have experienced significant transformations in their cultural practices due to government efforts to preserve and promote their intangible cultural heritage (ICH). These policies, while contributing to economic benefits and visibility, have also led to shifts in performers' identities and a growing commercialization of their traditional music. Through ethnographic fieldwork, this study examines the tensions between cultural preservation and commercialization and offers policy recommendations to balance the authenticity of Ersu Tibetan folk songs with modern performance demands.