Held on the celebration of the Chinese Lunar Year, the lion dance, unlike other dances presented by individual dancers, is played by 2 to 3 person aggressive and at the same time whirls to the beat of the drum. The dance itself comprises two or three lions performed at the same time. What fascinates me is that the dance is actually martial art moves performed to the drumbeat and not for fighting. Moreover, the dance is performed as resemblance to moves of the mystic Chinese lion roaring and balancing on wooden stances to reach tied vegies, angpow or placards. Not only to mimick an animal’s stride, but the dancers have to have an eye on their steps on the stances and lifting the lion’s head performer. The front player also has to deal with the dance moves as well as controlling the lion’s eye and jaw expression. The dance costume itself is set with red colors, wavy stripes and tribal linings to exhibit furious looks of the lion.
