|
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
|