Gravity-defying lion dancers brought down to earth by pandemic

A member of the Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association, touches an ox mask designed for Lunar New Year at a training centre, in Muar. Photo: REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng

During normal Lunar New Year celebrations, one of Malaysia's leading lion dance troupes puts on gravity-defying performances by leaping in full costume between poles, to the beat of drums and crashing of cymbals and gongs.

The traditional Chinese lion dance has long been part of the festivities in the southeast Asian nation, but this year the Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association has been brought down to earth with such public spectacles halted by the pandemic.