Lions come to life at Chung Hwa School
By James Kon

Chairman of Chung Hwa Middle School, Mr Ang Swee Chuan, dotting each eye of three new lions for the Lion Dance in the Chinese New Year.
A lion prancing on stilt poles.	A drummer and cymbal player sending the lions into a fenzy of paces.
The Lion Dance troupe performing to the music of drum, gong and cymbal.	The three new lions set to thrill the Brunei public on Jan 31 at the Chung Hwa Middle School's Darussalam Hall at 7.30pm.

The Chinese New Year celebration is never complete without the Lion Dance. Three new lions were thus blessed by the Chairman of the Chung Hwa Middle School, Mr Ang Swee Chuan last Wednesday evening at the school's Darussalam Hall. In true Chinese tradition, a new lion should not be used without first going through 'eye-dotting' or 'Hoi Gong' ceremony in the Chinese language. Legend dictates that if the lion is used before the blessing, it will bring forth misfortune and bad luck.

During the ceremony, Mr Ang dotted a red dot on each eye of the three new lions as well as the instruments of drum, gong and cymbal, which awaken the three lions and then dance to the music.

The lions perform skilful acrobatics on stilt poles where they jump and balance standing up on two feet on the poles.

A coach invited from Malaysia for the troupe, Chin Hoong Iap, said the troupe consists of more than 40 members and who have been training hard since October last year. Some members also endured minor injuries in training.

Also present at the ceremony was the Principal of Chung Hwa Middle School, Mdm Kho and other members of the board of directors.

On January 31, the Lion Dance Troupe will be putting up a free show for the public at the Chung Hwa Middle School's Darussalam Hall at 7.30pm.

Members of the public who wish to invite the Lion Dance Troupe to their home for blessings in the Chinese New Year, can call 8727089 or 2229017 for inquiries.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin