"Foshan Lion Dance"

Lion dance, also called "Xingshi", is a form of local art based on martial skills and imitation of a lion's body movements, also an entertainment and an activity to strengthen one's health prevailing in the region of Guangzhou. It was spread to Guangdong and Guangxi in Ming Dynasty.

Lion dance is so much preferred in Guangzhou that every holiday or joyous occasion witnesses lion dance demonstrations for the sake of celebration, especially during the Spring Festival. The dance is performed by two people, one holding the head while the other holding the back part of the lion. Running after a person with a mask, the lion dances to the rhythm of drums, gongs and cymbals. The arrival to a household or business of the lion makes the residents and the businessman beam with joy. They express their thanks by giving some li shi (lucky money).

The highlight of a lion dance is ball-picking. If two lions happen to meet (called hui shi), they as a rule bow to each other as a salution. The dance may involve one or two or a group of lions. Since 1950, lion dance performance has become one of the important recreation and sports activity among social groups and villages. Many factories and villages have their own lion dance performance teams. Since 1980s, lion dances are performed every year to celebrate the Spring Festival in Guangzhou city and Guangzhou Workers' Lion Dance Society has been established.

Editor: Wing