Jan 26, 2012

Malaysia - Dragon dance heralds Year of the Dragon



SIBU: Lion dances are a part of every Chinese New Year but this year, being a Dragon Year, dragon dances are in the spotlight locally and worldwide.

The dragon marks the fifth of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

A dragon dance, like the lion dance, is believed to bring good luck.

The qualities of a dragon are intense power, dignity, fertility, wisdom and auspiciousness.
Said Yung Dah Looh, chief coach of Sibu Martial Arts (Guansu) Association: “Dragon symbolises great power and prosperity and they are things many Chinese families dream to have.”

For the first three days of the Chinese New Year, Yung received invitations for the dragon dance to be performed at more than two dozen homes.

In preparation for the Dragon Year, Yung imported a dragon from the peninsula about a year ago.

The length and size of the body of the dragon is 112 ft (34m) and it is divided into nine major sections.

Each section is 14 inches from the next, the body having 81 rings in total.

The dragon moves in a wave-like pattern, achieved by coordinated swinging of each section in succession.

‘While swinging constitutes the basic movement of the dragon, executing more complex formations is limited only by a team’s credibility,” he said.

“The basic skills of a dragon performer are simple to learn but becoming a competent performer takes dedicated training until the movement becomes second nature and complex formations can be achieved, relying not only on the skill of one member but the team as a whole.” Yung said.

Yung said the dragon he imported was made of light materials like aluminum and plastic.

“Traditionally, dragons were made of wood with bamboos on the inside so were heavy for the performers to carry around. Today these wooden structures are replaced by light plastic which enhances performance and credibility.”

During the dance, performers hold poles to raise and lower the dragon.

Sometimes, one man holds a ‘Road of Wisdom’ on a pole and he entices the dragon to follow him to the beat of the drum, as if searching for wisdom and knowledge.

The dragon dance is believed to have originated during the Han Dynasty. It was started by the Chinese who had great respect for the dragon.

It is believed to have begun as part of the farming and harvest culture, and as a method of healing and preventing sicknesses.

Yung said he would continue to execute the dragon dance so long as it was in demand by the people.

“Like the lion dance and the display of firecrackers and fireworks, dragon dance forms part of Chinese culture that has been around for more than 2,000 years.”

Philip Wong
Borneo Post



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