‘DANCING DOG’ THRILLS THE CROWD
Two troupes perform lion dance in dog costumes
TWO dance troupes are ushering in the Year of the Dog in style by offering the “dog dance” this festive season. Wearing dog costumes, the dance troupes, accompanied by beating drums, clashing cymbals and gongs, have captured the hearts of the people with their antics.
Kun Seng Lion Dance troupe leader Tan Chong Hing, 63, said although the dance moves were similar to the lion dance, the dog costumes had endeared the troupe to the public.
“It’s just a way for us to symbolise the Year of Dog in our act this year. All our players trained long hours to spread the New Year cheer,” Tan told the New Sunday Times.
Tan said the team, which was fully booked for the holiday season, will be on full blast for the period of the celebration.
The Ipoh-based team had received bookings from Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
“What makes the team even more special is that we have a few Malay troupe members as well.
“They adapted very well to the movements and they are part of our small family,” he said.
Chea Horng Ling, 28, who is the troupe leader of the Chea Mien Hong Teck Lion and Dragon Dance association, carried on his family’s tradition and is a thirdgeneration dancer.
His troupe was also fully booked for the season.
The troupe comprises 30 players, including school and university students.
“The troupe has been running for more than 30 years. Every year, the demand for lion or dragon dance increases, and we are fortunate that people still appreciate this art,” he said.
Similar to the Kun Seng Lion Dance troupe, Chea’s troupe also offered the “dog dance” this year.
“It’s great to have a team that understands people’s demands. Although the costumes are heavier, the players pulled through and gave their best for spectators.”
Both troupes have always been creative in incorporating the zodiac animal of the year in their dance act.
Besides the usual lion or dragon dance, and high pole acrobats, the Kun Seng Lion Dance troupe also offered LED-fitted lion costumes to provide a different experience for the people.
The lion dance is a long-standing tradition in Chinese New Year celebrations as having a lion grace one’s house, office or mall is said to bring luck for the whole year.
The dance also scares away evil spirits and bring good luck to spectators.
The instruments used in the dance are the drum, which is the lion’s heartbeat that directs the action of the lion, while the gong and the cymbals are played to frighten away evil spirits.
The legend of the lion dance is said to have begun when a monster attacked a village, and ate all the food and babies.
It was tamed only when a monk came to the village and tied a red ribbon around its horn.
Since then, the monster acted as village guardian and protected everyone instead of eating all the food and babies.