Three Malay friends master the dance moves popular during CNY

KUCHING: Fascinated with the lion dance from young, three Malay friends joined a troupe five years ago to learn the art.

Mohd Fitri Abdullah, Mohd Al Amirul Akmal and Mohd Syafiq Abdullah are now busy training with the rest of the troupe for the Chinese New Year celebration.

“We’ve always enjoyed watching lion dance performances since our childhood, so when the opportunity came we all joined the troupe together.

“What we like most is the music because without it there will be no lion dance,” Mohd Fitri, 21, said.

The trio are members of the Ku­ching Kwong Wai Siew Associa­tion troupe, one of the oldest in the city which started in 1954.

Mohd Syafiq, 20, said it was quite difficult at first to learn the lion dance, especially the leaping moves.

Amirul, 21, said it was important to be diligent in training.

“It takes hard work and stamina to be a lion dance performer. We usually train twice a week, but when Chinese New Year or important performances are coming up, we train every night,” he said.

For all three, race was not a problem in joining the troupe, which also has members from other ethnic groups.

“We’re like family. At meal times, they will prepare Muslim food for us but we all sit together at the same table. There is mutual understan­ding among all of us,” said Amirul.

Association president Lim Chong Lee said all were welcomed to join the troupe.

“In the past our members were mainly from the Chinese community but these days we have members from the other races.

“This is a good practice. Here in Sarawak we can see people sitting together with other races, exchanging views on our cultures and celebrating together,” he said.