Call to keep lion dance culture alive for future generations
KOTA KINABALU: Property developer and WSG Group managing director Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen has urged schools, religious bodies, community associations, dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes in the state to persevere in keeping the Chinese culture of lion dance alive for generations to come.
She said dragon, unicorn and lion dance is a cultural heritage of the Chinese community that should be cherished as it adds a lot of joy and festive atmosphere, especially during Chinese New Year celebrations. Susan, who is also the deputy president of The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) and president of The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK), said that during a Lion Head Eye-Dotting Ceremony held in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations at Parklane City Benoni here yesterday.
Also present were Susan’s mother Datin Seri Panglima Chen Si Mui, WSG Group directors Datuk Wong Ten An, Vanessa Wong, Jonathan Wong, Melissa Wong, Kapitan Foo Hoe Weng, Michael Pan and others.
Susan donated one dragon, 21 lion heads and two mini lion heads to a total of 17 schools, religious bodies, dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes.
She hoped that the beneficiaries will contribute towards the development of lion dance culture, and urged local schools, religious bodies, community associations and lion dance troupes to keep the cultural heritage alive.
The beneficiaries are Persatuan Penganut Dewa Tai Pak Kung Tenom Sabah, Lee Kiong, Persatuan Penganut Agama Tian Huang Da Di, Lim Siew Thien Papar, Thian You, San Chuan, Persatuan Tarian Singa Dan Naga Yong Wei Sabah, Ling Zhen Tamparuli, Thien Fook Kung Beaufort, Papar Xu Xiang Dragon Unicorn And Lion Dance Club, Tzu Chi Kota Kinabalu Temple, Nan Shan Sabah Dragon, Unicorn Lion Dance Troupe, Tokong Kuan Yin Kiansom, Keong Fatt, SJK(C) Chi Vun, SJK(C) Phui Ying Tenom Parents Teachers Association, SJK(C) St Joseph, Papar.
WSG Group is the developer of Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City in Papar.