Living in Vietnam for over a year, I’ve learned that when I hear drums beating and cymbals clang-clang-clanging, there’s a Lion Dance nearby.
Lion dances originated in China but are now prevalent throughout SE Asia. The performance is part dance, part theatrics, and part acrobatics.
The “lion” is inspired by a mythical creature called kỳ lân” (unicorn) and each lion is brought to life by two dancers. The dancer in front controls the head, which includes shaking, moving from side to side, and coyly fluttering the long eyelashes at the audience. The second dancer controls the back of the lion, swaying and wiggling, but most importantly, being ready to lift the front dancer onto his shoulders, giving the impression of a huge lion standing on two legs. I’ve even seen lion dances with the dancers moving back and forth on tall posts in beautifully choreographed symmetry as they leap from one set of posts to another.
In Vietnam, the most popular time to see a lion dance is in the weeks leading up to the Lunar New Year (called Tết in VN). However, as it’s believed that lion dances bring about good luck and prosperity they’re also regularly part of birthdays, weddings, and even grand openings of companies and restaurants.
So when I hear drums and cymbals – I hurry my steps because I know there’s a Lion Dance close by, and I don’t want to miss it!
