Lion dance is one of the major attraction during Chinese New Year. It is a dance performed by two persons. The front dancer moves the lion's head while the rear dancer takes care of the tail and acts as a supporter for the acrobatic moves performed by the front dancer. Loud drums and cymbals accompanies the dance. The lion dance can be seen during Chinese new year, opening of a new business and sometimes during funerals. The dance is an act to bring in luck. In olden days, it is said that the loud sound and the lion were what scared away the 'nien', a monster that has been terrorising the people.
Adults are mesmerised by the acrobatic moves of the lion while kids are attracted by the lion itself and the loud drum that accompanies the dance. My little boy likes the mini lion that I bought sometime ago, which I use as decorative item, a lot. Ever since I brought it out for the coming CNY, he has been pointing at the lion and say 'dung dung chiang'. This gave me this idea of sewing the pants similar to the pants of the dancers for the lion dance for him.
Lion dancers wear pants with frills, resembling the hairy legs of the lion. When the dancers move, the frills add to the beauty of the acrobatic stances performed by the dancers. My little boy was so happy and excited upon seeing the pants that I sewn for him. Immediately demanded for the mini lion's head and performed a little mini lion dance, much to the delight of everyone. Can't wait to see the 'unification' of the mini and the 'real' lion on the first day of Chinese new year.
