Chinese Lion Dance

Chinese Lion Dance

Everyone should know about lion dance and lion dancing usually takes place during the Chinese festivals or in any events. Therefore, lion dance is becoming more common to everyone  of us. I would like to share my experience regarding to the learning process of the lion dance. It is divided into 3 categories, it starts at beginner, intermediate and finally is advanced level.

The learning process for a beginner

In traditional way, the new members have to "give a cup of tea" as a sign of respectful to the Master. After that the Master will tell the new members regarding with the ethics, discipline and moral value. 

After that, it will proceed to the introduction of the lion dance association, mission and vision. In this stage, the new members are then being introduced to the use of all the necessary equipment through out the whole lion dance performance.

The second level of learning process is Intermediate

Individual will continue to the intermediate part after he or she done with the musicians, Therefore, they will practice with the lion costume which consists of 2 parts, head and tail.

Two dancers are usually needed to give life to a lion. One is to control the movements of the head, eyes, and mouth, the other to act as the body.

After that, they will go for show performance, the dancers are usually enticed with gifts, normally is ang pow attached to a vegetable and tied to a pole. It represents the good sign of prosperous.                                                                             

The advanced level for individual

For those to achieve higher and interesting to learn in higher level, they will practice the lion on the high steel which is acrobatic lion dance. Usually this stage is for those who has a good foundation of basic skills and dare to accept new challenges. 

The master will select the perfect match for a head and a tail and train them in advanced. It is because the advance level is the most dangerous level among all. Therefore, both dancers must understand each of them well.

Therefore, this is my personal knowledge and experience in the Chinese Lion Dance. Hope the cultures of this lion dance will be maintained to the next generation.