From Johor Bahru Directory
Lion dance is a traditional Chinese dance in which two performers, dressed in lion costumes, mimic a lion's movements. The first dancer controls the lion head and determines the movements, while the second dancer works in tandem with him. Lions are not native to China, and the lions depicted in lion dances are not of the African lion, commonly known in the West, but of the Indian lion.[1]
 Southern lion dance costume, with large eyes, a mirror on the forehead, and a single horn at center of the head. |
2. The origin of the lion dance is obscure. Knowledge of the lion reached China by way of Buddhist missionaries and traders during the Han Dynasty, latest by the 1st century AD, mostly in the form of images and art motifs.[1] A living animal may occasionally have being brought in as a curiosity, an item of trade, or even as part of a tribute, and it quickly became one of the most widely used symbol in Chinese art as a guardian of gateways, a supporter of thrones, and as a element in dances that were so much a part of popular culture. By the time of the Ming Dynasty, enormous bronze lions were guarding the imperial palaces of Beijing.[1]
3. There are different variations of the lion dance which can broadly be categorized into two styles:
- The Northern lion dance is used as entertainment for the imperial court. The colors of the lion are usually red, orange, and yellow (sometimes with green fur for the female lion), and is shaggy in appearance, with a golden head. Northern lions resemble a Pekingese, and movements are very life-like. Acrobatics are very common, with stunts such as lifts or balancing on a giant ball. Northern lions sometimes appear as a family, with two large "adult" lions and a pair of small "young lions". Ninghai, in Ningbo, is called the "Homeland of the Lion Dance" the northern variety.
- The Southern lion dance is more symbolic and in view of the protective role of the lion, is usually performed during the start of the Lunar New Year and during auspicious events such as the grand opening of businesses to ward off evil spirits and summon good luck and fortune.The Southern lion exhibits a wide variety of colour and has a distinctive head, weighing from from 9 kg to 15 kg,[2] with large eyes, a mirror on the forehead, and a single horn at the center of its head. Guangdong is the homeland of the southern style.
4. Because of its vigorous and physically-demanding nature, lion dancers are usually members of the local kung fu club. During the 1950s and 1960s, there were a lot of fights amongst lion dance troupes and kung fu schools, vying for supremacy, whenever they meet during festivals and performances. Some lifts and acrobatic tricks were designed to knock off rival lions. The violence got so extreme that at one point, the Hong Kong government had to put a stop to lion dance completely. Now, as with many other countries, lion dance troupes must obtain a government permit to perform a lion dance. Today, the lion dance has become an international sport where dancers compete to determine the champion. Template:More1
