The pair performing at SMK Air Putih’s Chinese New Year celebration.
IT IS rare to see a woman performing the lion dance and yet for Chong Jac Xin, bringing the costume to life is second nature as she performs gravity-defying stunts under the lion head.
Students, staff and guests of SMK Air Putih in Kuantan, Pahang, had the chance to watch Chong leap gracefully from post to post and pull off impressive acrobatic feats when the school had a grand Chinese New Year celebration.
“I started doing the lion dance when I was 12. I joined a club in my primary school but I was just doing it as a hobby then,” said the 20-year-old lion dance coach.
Chong said as she continued performing over the years, she discovered a knack for the lion head role and had been in love with it ever since.
Chong (right) and Chan who perform as the head and tail of the lion. (Right)
As the lion head performer, Chong works seamlessly with her tail partner Chan Weng Kit, 31, to bring out the antics of the playful lion as though it were a live creature.
The pair have been teaming up in the Kin Cho Hong troupe for about three years and performed in numerous national and international competitions.
They attained their best score and placed fourth in a competition last year.
Chan said after the Covid-19 movement restrictions, she was looking for a tail dancer and Chan was looking for a head dancer.
“That’s how we teamed up and have been dancing together for about three years now.”
While the pair have trust and confidence in each other’s abilities, Chan said the challenge in their performances was mostly in dealing with public reactions.
“Some people are surprised when they see us under the costume.
“They think it is weird for a woman to perform the lion dance with a man.
Chan said, “I think it really shouldn’t be an issue as we work well together and that’s all that matters.”
He is grateful for the opportunity to break barriers and serve as role models, especially for students interested in performing the lion dance.
Chong said she wanted to show that women could also take part in the physically demanding sport.
“Lion dance is not exclusive to anyone as long as one is willing to train hard and put effort into it,” she said.
After performing at events during the Chinese New Year period, they intend to hone their skills further and bag top prizes in competitions.
