Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep

Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep

Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep is a specialty of Ma Duo County in Guoluo Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Grassland-type Tibetan sheep are an endemic breed of the Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, known for their strong adaptability, large build, rapid growth, and high-quality wool. The area is one of the main production regions of “Xining Wool.” Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep is a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The Yellow River is the cradle of the Chinese nation, and Ma Duo is where this mighty river begins. The Yellow River is the cradle of the Chinese nation, and the Yellow River basin is the birthplace of China’s splendid ancient culture. Breaking through highland gorges, the Yellow River irrigates the land of China and flows thousands of miles eastward into the sea—the spirit of the Yellow River is the spirit of the Chinese people. Ma Duo, at the source of the Yellow River, is the sacred site where Songtsen Gampo welcomed Princess Wencheng into Tibet for a marriage alliance, symbolizing the enduring bond between the Tibetan and Han peoples. The industrious and brave Tibetan people living on this ancient and magical land have struggled against the harsh natural environment for generations, pioneering and contributing significantly to the creation of the splendid history and culture of the Chinese nation. Historical records from Han and Tibetan sources indicate that as early as the Neolithic period, humans lived and thrived on the plateau valleys at the source of the Yellow River. From the late 4th century BC until the Song Dynasty, the current residents of Ma Duo County gradually formed, reflecting the evolutionary process of the Tibetan people and the complex development of human history—precious treasures in the human artistic heritage. Unique natural landscapes such as Lake Zhaling, Lake Eling, the Bridal Procession Beach, and the Ox Head Monument are all accompanied by magical and beautiful legends. The Tibetan people of Ma Duo have engaged in animal husbandry for generations, and Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep are a vital part of their production and daily life. Most herders here raise this ancient breed of Tibetan sheep. Legend has it that Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha and guardian deity of Tibet, bestowed precepts upon a divine Tibetan sheep and ordered it to cultivate itself in the snowy highlands. The sheep obeyed and meditated in a brown cave, dedicating itself to cultivating compassion and bodhicitta. However, its practice was interrupted by the arrival of a beautiful demoness. She moved the sheep not by professing love, but by vowing not to harm sentient beings, which touched the sheep’s heart. The sheep and the demoness united and bore six lambs. Three years later, the sheep unexpectedly found that its descendants had multiplied to over five hundred. When the Bodhisattva Guanyin learned of this, she punished the sheep by condemning it to remain on Earth forever. Thereafter, Tibetan sheep spread across the plateau, quietly dedicating themselves and enabling the people of the highlands to thrive. Countless years passed, and according to local Tibetan mythology, on the small hill on the west bank at the mouth of Lake Zhaling, Songtsen Gampo once set up camp to meet Princess Wencheng. Li Daozong, acting as the emperor’s uncle, presided over the wedding ceremony of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng. That night, the grasslands were illuminated with lights, filled with songs and dancing, marking a grand and joyous celebration. The highlight of the feast Songtsen Gampo prepared was the delicious Tibetan lamb, served to honor the guests. By Lake Zhaling, the Tibetan king traveled north to welcome the princess from the Tang Dynasty in the south. A pair of legendary figures spent their sweetest days by the shores of the Yellow River’s source at Lake Buhai. Then, Songtsen Gampo accompanied Princess Wencheng from Lake Zhaling to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa (modern-day Lhasa). Traveling up the source of the Yellow River, crossing the Bayan Har Mountains, and braving the treacherous Heavenly River, the long journey began to weigh on Princess Wencheng, who grew homesick and gradually lost weight. Worried about her health, Songtsen Gampo ordered his servants to find special delicacies to temporarily ease her longing for home. Eventually, they discovered a unique dish—Tibetan lamb soup. After drinking it, the princess felt warmth and vitality. Gazing at the vast, beautiful grasslands and the flocks of white Tibetan sheep accompanying the bridal procession, she forgot her homesickness. Crossing the Chawula Pass of the Tanggula Mountains and traveling westward through the Black River (Nagqu), they eventually arrived at the Tibetan capital of Lhasa (now Lhasa). Later, the princess fell in love with this beautiful and magical Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep is an ancient breed that, over thousands of years of natural and artificial selection, has developed strong genetic conservatism, allowing its fine qualities to be stably passed down through generations. The livestock breeds in Ma Duo County are relatively limited, consisting mainly of Tibetan sheep, yaks, horses, goats, and small numbers of dzo and yellow cattle. Tibetan sheep dominate the livestock structure in the county. They are a highland grassland-type breed, an original breed of Qinghai Province. These sheep are sturdy, lively, and wild, adept at roaming and grazing at high altitudes, tolerant of extensive management, and highly resistant to disease, making them well-suited to cold, high-altitude environments. The sheep are entirely covered in pure white wool with long fleece. The hair on the lower edges of the head and neck and the belly is sparse and short. A notable characteristic is the coarse, long wool fibers with a high content of two types of fibers—shiny, elastic, and strong. This makes products made from the wool highly resilient and durable, making it excellent raw material for carpets. The wool fiber length is 21.68 cm. Ma Duo Tibetan mutton offers various benefits according to traditional Chinese medicine, such as “tonifying weakness, boosting energy, enhancing virility, stimulating appetite, and building strength.” It is characterized by high protein and low fat content, making it one of the main meats consumed by locals and an excellent choice for winter tonics. The mutton is bright red with a glossy appearance, white fat, minimal gaminess, and a delicious taste. It can be prepared into many unique and richly flavored dishes. Hot pot lamb, grilled and fried lamb skewers, and stir-fried lamb with scallions are all beloved delicacies enjoyed by both young and old. Ma Duo’s vast grasslands, abundant water resources, and plentiful forage provide excellent conditions for the development of animal husbandry. Sheep farming has become an indispensable resource in the lives of local people and a pillar industry for the county’s economic development, playing a significant role in increasing the efficiency of animal husbandry and the income of herders.

　　In 2013, “Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep,” applied for by the Ma Duo County Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Workstation, passed the review of the Agricultural Products Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, and was officially registered and protected as a national geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The designated geographical protection area for Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep includes: Huashixia Town, Machali Town, Huanghe Township, and Lake Zhaling Township in Ma Duo County, covering 26 pastoral committees. The geographical coordinates are 96°50′00″ to 99°20′00″ east longitude and 33°50′00″ to 35°40′00″ north latitude.

　　“Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep” Successfully Obtains National Geographical Indication Product Protection

　　Geographical Area

　　Ma Duo County is under the jurisdiction of the Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, located in the southern part of Qinghai Province and the northwest of the prefecture on the northern side of the Bayan Har Mountains. Other geographical coordinates are 96°50′ to 99°20′ east longitude and 33°50′ to 35°40′ north latitude. It borders Dulan County of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the north, Xinghai County of Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Maqin County of Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the east, Shiqu County of Sichuan Province and Dari County of Guoluo Prefecture to the south, Qumarleb County of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the west, and Chindu County of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture across the Bayan Har Mountains to the southwest. The county spans approximately 207 km from north to south and 228 km from east to west. Surrounded by high mountains, the central area features flat, open terrain with mostly rounded mountains, intermingled flats and hills with no clear boundaries and relatively small elevation differences, forming a typical plateau landscape. The entire terrain slopes from northwest to southeast. The county’s elevation is above 4,200 meters. The highest point is the main peak of the Bayan Har Mountains in the west, at 5,266 meters, while the lowest point is the eastern exit of the Yellow River, at 4,035 meters, with a relative elevation difference of about 1,200 meters. Ma Duo County currently administers 2 towns (Huashixia Town and Machali Town) and 2 townships (Huanghe Township and Lake Zhaling Township), with 26 pastoral committees. The total land area of the county is 39.4009 million mu (26,267.29 square kilometers), including 34.4864 million mu of natural grassland, accounting for 87.53% of the total land area. The usable grassland area is 27.0795 million mu, accounting for 75.84% of the total grassland area. Ma Duo Tibetan Sheep is the only breed of sheep raised within Ma Duo County and is distributed across all townships in the county.