IN Tawau, Sabah, around two dozen lion heads were ceremoniously burned after years of use.
The “sending lions back to the mountain” ritual was carried out by the lion dance troupe of the Tawau Arts, Culture and Sports Association to honour the contribution of the lion heads.
Footage of the ceremony showed old and worn-out lion heads being stacked on a field and set ablaze, reported Sin Chew Daily.
Troupe members tossed joss paper into the flames, while newer lion heads were used in a performance to bid farewell to their predecessors.
A spokesperson from the association explained that burning the lion heads should not be viewed as wasteful or harmful to the environment.
Instead, it is a long-standing cultural tradition, ensuring that well-used lion heads receive a proper sendoff, he said.
