Hijab girls display prowess at Tuaran lion dance
Published on: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
By: R Gonzales
Tuaran: Sabah is known for its ethnic diversity, one of the State’s unique features.
So, it is not surprising that in every Chinese New Year celebration, lion dancers not only come from the Chinese community but also from other religious and ethnic backgrounds.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the annual Chinese lion dance and New Year celebration held at the Tuaran Basketball Hall, recently, was more lively when the presence of three teenage Malay girls in hijab (headdress) dominated the lion dance.
The trio, who have been guided by the team manager and coach of SJKC St. Philip in Tamparuli’s parent-teachers association (PTA), Chester Lo, since last year, received a lot of attention and invitations to perform.
Lo, who is also the PTA president, said the group of 33 members was established in 2015 to raise funds for student activities.
“This lion dance group also has more female participants than any other lion dance group,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“In fact, it is very special because the other Bumiputeras in this group are also fluent in Chinese which has created a great sense of unity among the students.”
According to him, in any celebration, understanding and harmony between the races is evident.
ADVERTISEMENT
“That’s why it’s so easy to learn something new from each other because we are not isolated from other people,” he said.
Siblings Hana Tasmin Rosli, 13, and Hanis Batrisya Rosli, 11, and their friend Farhana Atiqah Mohd Farizan, 18, said they were trained by several coaches led by Felix Voo Pei Ming especially in acrobatic movements involving the hands, bodies and feet to indicate the movements of the lions to ensure that the dances follow the beat of the drums.
“We started with the group early last year. It was a bit difficult but our Chinese friends were always very helpful as we learned how to master this dance,” they said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
