NST Online: StreetsJohor
NST Online: StreetsJohor |
| Posted: 16 Aug 2011 09:28 AM PDT 2011/08/16 Although the lion dance is more popular than the dragon dance, the latter requires more in terms of coordination, skill and stamina UNDENIABLY, lion dance is more popular than dragon dance, although both are equally appealing and unique in style and performance. While only two dancers are needed for a lion dance, it is more complicated for a dragon dance performance, which usually involves about 10 dancers.
On the other hand, a dragon dance is done more often at ground-level, but it is not as simple as it seems. Without any synchronisation, the dragon body can be stepped upon, twisted or have dancers fall down.
The Persatuan Tarian Naga Muar at Jalan Sungai Abong is one of the oldest dragon dance troupes in Johor. Celebrating its 58th anniversary this year, the association has been training some 500 dancers since it was founded.
Ng Per Yuean, 27, the association's coach, said not all recruits are for dragon dance. Those who are more inclined to music will play the drums and cymbals. "Those involved in dragon dancing need a lot of strength as the performance lasts for about 10 minutes. The one who manoeuvres the dragon's head has to be strong as the head itself could weigh as much as 2.5kg. "Next, the dancers need to be able to dance and swing the sticks attached to the dragon body in synchronisation," he said. Ng began his interest in dragon dancing when he was 13. He has been coaching for the last two years. In any competition, points are given based on the costume, dragon shape, musical performance, synchronisation and degree of difficulty of the dance. The last two criteria are more challenging as points are easily lost where these aspects are concerned. Ng said two of the common "accidents" in dragon dancing were dancers falling down or when the dragon body gets knotted. Another common mistake is when dancers step on the dragon body when they are rolling about. "In nocturnal dragon dancing, the dancers can only see the dragon but not the other troupe members. The chances of dancers knocking into each other and the dragon body knotting are rather high," he said. The association currently has 40 members aged from 10 to 25, comprising students and workers who practise three nights a week, and every night when preparing for a competition. It has won six gold medals thus far and has performed in Hong Kong, Macau and China. Another outstanding troupe is from the Muar Chinese Boxing Fellowship in Jalan Daud. The fellowship started in 1956 to provide a platform for boxing enthusiasts and those of the distinct Hokkien lion dance. It was from 1991 that the association went into full swing in dragon dancing. Coach Kaw Yew Boon, 43, has been coaching for the past six years. "I joined the troupe in 1991 and my job was to hold the dragon pearl. My role is important as the movement of the whole dragon follows the pearl that I hold. "Discipline is needed in dragon dance. We are particular about the attendance for rehearsal and practice," he said. The troupe has grabbed four gold medals in the past 20 years. Dragon dance performances are highly sought after during Chinese New Year, temple celebrations and opening ceremonies of companies. Most of the dragons are bought from China or Johor Baru, with them costing up to RM7,000 each. Due to wear and tear, the life span of each dragon is about a year. Troupes survive on revenue from performances and sponsorships. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| Posted: 16 Aug 2011 08:18 AM PDT TWO retired civil servants were among 43 individuals nabbed by the Johor Religious Department (JAJ) for eating in public during the fasting month. Deputy chief enforcement director Mohd Zambari Kambari, said both the retired men were detained at a restaurant in Johor Baru when JAJ officers made their rounds for Ops Ramadan. "They were caught in the act. If found guilty, they can be fined a maximum of RM1,000," said Zambari.
He said most of those detained were in industrial areas and a hawker was also detained for serving food to Muslim men during the fasting period. Ops Ramadan involved 45 enforcement personnel.
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