Legend has it that on the eve of every Chinese New Year, an animal would appear in the Chinese countryside. It would destroy the fields, crops, food and animals belonging to the farmers of a village in China. Villagers could not identify the beast and decided to name it Nian, which meant, “year” in Chinese.
According to culture, Nian was afraid of lions. Villagers would wait for the eve of CNY to drive the Nian away with their methods. Hence, the Lion Dance was born. The dance is still practised today. In fact, performed every year on CNY with drums, cymbals and gongs. In Singapore culture, we don’t just perform Lion Dance during CNY. We also for opening ceremonies, welcoming of important persons and other occasions. This legend is a common story told in schools during Chinese New Year celebration. Today, many schools in Singapore even adopt Lion Dance as a CCA. Core curriculum activity, meaning everybody has to learn this culture.
The dance requires at least two people. The first person to manipulate the paper-mache head of a lion. The second to act as its hind legs. Both connect by a colourful cloth body.
Not only does this dance need a lot of stamina, strength and coordination. The chemistry between the two persons has to be in sync. Growing up, watching lion dance has been a common scene in Singapore. The troupe would arrive in a lorry filled with players hitting the cymbals and drums. Loud enough to wake you up from your deep sleep. Every gesture from the lifting of a leg to the fluttering of an eyelid matches a particular beat in the music.
Apart from the acrobatic act, the “lion” would distribute hongbao (red packets). Or sweets for the case of a school setting. As the dance gains popularity over the years, more and more challenging tasks take place.
So if you are in Singapore during CNY period, be sure to catch the lion dance.. Apart from chasing the Nian away, it will bring you good fortune and wealth!
And that’s a culture bite from me!
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