Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Dong Dong Chiang! Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrr!




In Tiong Bahru, the Lunar New Year is the occasion for seeing many traditional ways of celebrating the festival through Lion, Dragon and even Flag dances!

On the 2nd day of each LNY, at 10 am at Block 56 Eng Hoon Street, one will see an annual performance on the street, to celebrate the new year by one of our local businesses - Bao Sheng Trading.

This year, there is a special appearance by the Tiger....



A child from the neighbourhood watching the new flag being carried in for the flag dance.



The 2 southern lions performing, notice the 2 smaller kiddie lions in between.

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This is a particularly difficult move as the front dancer must jump upwards and be held aloft for up to 3 or 5 minutes.



The flag dance is quite rare in Singapore - here, the 3 storey high flag is carried by individual dancers on their heads, abdomen, hands and even their chin. The breeze makes the flag flutter beautifully, but also increases the challenge of holding it aloft.





The dragon, before it starts it dance, first travels to the Qi Tian Gong to pay its respects to the local deity, here, the Great Heavenly Sage (AKA Monkey God) before it dances.





and wherever the dragon goes, good luck follows!



Looking at the confetti - a replacement for the red firecracker paper of the old days - guess the good luck is also shared with the neighbourhood!




HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

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