Eye Dottinting Ceremony ‘ Awakens'li’ Lions
By Huraizah Ahmad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Eight lions sprung to life with the sound of cymbals and rhythmic beats of the drums in an eye dotting ceremony to "awaken" them for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration on February 18.

The ceremony was held on Saturday evening at Brunei Basketball Association Indoor Basketball Court in Bata Bersurat.

The event saw the dotting of five new lions, as well as five new drums at the colourful and spirited ceremony to bless the Chinese Chamber of Commerce's (CCC) lion dance troupe.

On hand to officiate the event was President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Mr Robert Koh, with the dotting of a flag.

Also present at the ceremony were sponsors from various business establishments, which included Lee Chung Keng, Lim Tiong Han, Lim Tiang Guan, Hi Bee Fang, Chin Pak Shun, Tang Soon Won, Chan Swee Kiat and Yong Teck Hock.

"CCC's lion dance troupe was established in 2000 and comprises over 50 members aged from six to 40 years old.

"We have been training hard since early January to prepare for the Chinese New Year event," said Alvin See, the lion dance troupe's coach.

"The troupe will be performing from the first day to the 151" day of the Chinese New Year festivities in Chinese homes and business establishments throughout the country," he added.

The event was also one of the initiatives to raise money for the committee's education fund, which was agreed to at a recent Chinese New Year meeting by CCC board members.

The eye dotting ceremony is a prestigious event and a Chinese ritual to "awaken" lions for the forthcoming Chinese New Year festivities.

According to the traditional Chinese ritual, the lion cannot be used in a performance until the ceremony is completed and the spirit of the lion is given "life".

During the ceremony, individuals were selected to dot the lions with "symbolic blood". Traditionally, in the past, pigeon blood was used. Today, red ink is used to dot the lions.

The dotting ritual begins from the forehead to give the lion life, then the eyes for sight and followed by the nose, tongue, ears, and horns, back of head, spine and tail.

The ceremony was followed by a lion dance performance.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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