Here are some Chinese Traditional Lion Dance performed by five finalist teams at the championship held on Sunday January 9, 2011 at Sunway Carnival, Penang, Malaysia. Bigfoothill was proud to be there as there were two teams from Bukit Mertajam that were finalists among the five teams chosen from twenty-two teams from all over Malaysia.
The championship was won by the young team from state of Kedah which performed the Lion Dance in the movements of a Drunken Lion. Congratulations to all the teams participating in the championship.
The Lion is actually a Chinese folklore creature which was associated with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration where the creature used to harm the peasants annually and the peasants will chase away the creature by making loud noises like beating the drum or letting off the fire-cracker. I belief there are better explanations and information on the origin of the Lion Dance by the experts on Chinese Mythology and Culture.
By the way, this Chinese Traditional Lion dance are a common features at official functions such as the grand opening of Chinese businesses and during the Chinese New Year. It is recognized as an art and heritage of Malaysia. The competitive lion dance performances are slightly different from the usual street performance as there are many obstacles or variation on the steps and movements to tell the story of the lion eating the green or delivering a message while the normal street performance is accompanied by a giant with a big head (a mask) walking ahead of the lion. He usually held a fan in his hands and wave it to attract the attention of the lion and move according to the rhythm of the drums and cymbals beats. The lion dance troupe are then offered Chinese gift red packet containing money as part of appreciation for the dance to ward of evil forces and bring blessings.
Enjoy your lion dance here.
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