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The second major genre of the performing arts to develop in Central Asia was ’cham, the ritualistic dance performed in Buddhist monasteries. The origin of ’cham may well be an older form of shamanic ceremonial dance in Tibet, but centuries of evolution within a Buddhist-dominated society led to the recasting of the roles and theme of the dance in keeping with Buddhist dogma. ’Cham, which was introduced along with Tibetan Buddhism into Mongolia and certain parts of southern Central Asia in the 16th century, became the principal form of religious entertainment in eastern Central Asia. The origins of ’cham lie ...(100 of 19320 words)