Feel free to pet the lion! It is soft and fluffy
February 13, 2017 6:56 AM Subscribe
The Beginner's Guide to Chinese Lion Dance tumblr user irenydraws draws a quick primer to what the lion dance is all about. And if you'd like to see one in action, here's the winning troupe of the 2016 Genting World Lion Dance Championship, the Kun Sek Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association. They were also the stars of this video about the artform. Perhaps it's not a surprise to see Malaysians dominate the competition circuit, they did invent the acrobatic pole dancing (#5) that is now practically synonymous with the art. [Previously]
Malaysians seem to have a knack of remixing this artform, so here are the ones that've gone viral over the years:
- This Tiger Beer-sponsored dance that mixed the lion dance with LMFAO's Party Rock (2012).
- Chinese Sabahans and Sino-Kadazans having their lion perform the Sumazau and the Bamboo Dance as well (2016).
- last year also saw these Sarawakian boys' makeshift gear making the rounds as well.
- And this year, lions performing at an Indian wedding.
Malaysians seem to have a knack of remixing this artform, so here are the ones that've gone viral over the years:
- This Tiger Beer-sponsored dance that mixed the lion dance with LMFAO's Party Rock (2012).
- Chinese Sabahans and Sino-Kadazans having their lion perform the Sumazau and the Bamboo Dance as well (2016).
- last year also saw these Sarawakian boys' makeshift gear making the rounds as well.
- And this year, lions performing at an Indian wedding.
Huh. All the years I lived in Hong Kong, I saw many, many lion dances (they were practically de rigueur for new shops or businesses opening, for example) but I don't know if I've seen the pole thing more than maybe a handful of times? I guess it wasn't the competition troupes out in the New Territories generally.
posted by Dysk at 7:40 AM on February 13, 2017
posted by Dysk at 7:40 AM on February 13, 2017
Over here, it can be pretty common, especially in the shopping malls (having the lions dance with poles included). For shops and other places, I think it depends on space and what's the requested performance (I'm sure prices are adjusted accordingly, lol).
posted by cendawanita at 7:48 AM on February 13, 2017
posted by cendawanita at 7:48 AM on February 13, 2017
Oh, this is pretty great. Thank you!
posted by dominik at 8:05 AM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by dominik at 8:05 AM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
Having now watched the videos, I have two comments:
1) Wow.
2) The sounds really take me back to my childhood.
posted by Dysk at 8:21 AM on February 13, 2017
1) Wow.
2) The sounds really take me back to my childhood.
posted by Dysk at 8:21 AM on February 13, 2017
"We would prefer that you not spank the lion or touch its butt, because that is also our butt."
I only have ever played drums for lion dance, but I can imagine.
posted by chainsofreedom at 10:43 AM on February 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
I only have ever played drums for lion dance, but I can imagine.
posted by chainsofreedom at 10:43 AM on February 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was looking at the wikipedia page on lion dancing around the holiday and dang, I had no idea. I grew up in the Bay Area and saw a great number of lions but had no idea how widespread and diverse they were. I particulary liked the Korean and Tibetian takes -- the snow lions are adorbs.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:16 PM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:16 PM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
When we were young, grandfather would have a lion dance troupe come over to his home on the first day of Chinese New Year. It was as terrifying as it was exciting, and I would do anything to experience it all over again.
I am so homesick. Despite having many ethnic Chinese friends in the US, we all have different traditions, and it's hard for me to replicate mine here, not least because my mother left us out of Chinese New Year prep growing up so I don't know what to do. Thanks for posting, cendawanita!
posted by peripathetic at 12:29 PM on February 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
I am so homesick. Despite having many ethnic Chinese friends in the US, we all have different traditions, and it's hard for me to replicate mine here, not least because my mother left us out of Chinese New Year prep growing up so I don't know what to do. Thanks for posting, cendawanita!
posted by peripathetic at 12:29 PM on February 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
Would also like to add that all lions have to be "activated" through an eye-dotting ceremony before they are put to work.
posted by peripathetic at 12:42 PM on February 13, 2017
posted by peripathetic at 12:42 PM on February 13, 2017
In Vancouver, when Robbie Burns day and the Lunar new year coincide, often an event called Gung Haggis Fat Choy, which combines lion dancing with bagpipies. It is my favourite thing about being Canadian. here
posted by PinkMoose at 12:48 PM on February 13, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by PinkMoose at 12:48 PM on February 13, 2017 [3 favorites]
The pole dancing is amazing. I'd love to see that in person. Next vacation idea brewing......
posted by fshgrl at 12:50 PM on February 13, 2017
posted by fshgrl at 12:50 PM on February 13, 2017
Thank you so much cendawanita for making all these Southeast Asian-centric FPPs recently. It's great seeing things from our part of the world being shared on MeFi.
posted by destrius at 5:33 PM on February 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by destrius at 5:33 PM on February 13, 2017 [2 favorites]
the winning dance troupe has really good footwork. also much more graceful and expressive compared to other lion dances i've seen (but i guess i should expect that since they are after all the world champions!).
posted by aielen at 7:14 PM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by aielen at 7:14 PM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by cendawanita at 6:57 AM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]