Race no barrier to lion dance drummer
GEORGE TOWN: This Chinese New Year, Malay students in a Chinese secondary school in Balik Pulau are helping to ensure the traditional lion dance remains popular.
Adam Firdaus Mohd Nur fell in love with the performance art the first time he was introduced to it.
When he was in Form Two, his mother encouraged him to learn about other cultures.
His mother had always told him to make friends with people from different cultural backgrounds.
“I took her advice, and one day my Chinese friends told me that the school’s dragon and lion dance troupe was looking for new recruits.
“When I saw the deft movements of the lion dance and the energetic rhythm of the cymbal and drum that puts the lion through its paces, I was impressed,” he told the New Sunday Times.
Adam Firdaus, now in Form Four, does not perform with the lion head as he is afraid of heights. His talent lies with the drums, and he is an experienced drummer with the troupe.
This is a big step forward in the lion dance fraternity for a non-Chinese.
His schoolmate, Mohd Shamil Mohd Azli, has honed his skills to be among the dancers who take charge of the lion head. Aside from making the lion blink and open its mouth as if roaring, he also has to perform difficult leaps and jumps.
“I want to make sure young people don’t miss out on this cultural heritage that belongs to all Malaysians.
“Symbolising good luck and fortune, the lion dance is a custom that can bring Malaysians together,” he said.
Together, they have performed in different states across the country, raising funds to keep the troupe well-oiled with proper props and costume.
Support from the public encourages the troupe to do better, he said.
Their coach, Andrew Lai, said the art form needed a fresh pool of talent. At the same time, he said, the multiracial line-up of the troupe catapulted the team’s profile and they were invited to perform at many events.
“We are grateful if any student wants to join the troupe. We are all Malaysians, race does not matter,” he said.
SJK(C) Sacred Heart principal Tan Sin Cheong said the lion dance was an integral part of the school’s co-curriculum.
He said the lion dance moulded the younger generation by teaching them the importance of teamwork, camaraderie and hard work.
“It is also part of the school’s vision to focus on traditional sport while promoting Malaysian culture at the same time.
“The art form has attracted many students, including those from the Malay and Indian communities,” he said.