A Lion Salute

As part of Ma Zu Dan, Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan had invited Nam Sieng Dragon and Lion Dance Activity Centre Singapore to perform various acrobats, lion dances and dragon dances at Thian Hock Keng temple whose main deity is Ma Zu. My personal favorite is lion dance on poles. And yes, they performed that last night! It was quite an eye opener.

Who is Ma Zu?

She is a female goddess, protector of sea voyagers. She is also known as Tian Hou.

It was said that she had the power to predict weather and often warned people of bad weathers and advised them not to make journeys to the sea. She was a good swimmer and was able to save people even in the harshest weather. 

Ma Zu Dan

Ma Zu Dan refers to Ma Zu's birthday-festival. It is on the twenty-third day of the third lunar month of the lunar calendar. It falls in late April or early May according to the Gregorian calendar.

About Thian Hock Keng

Thian Hock Keng Temple is a 176 year old monument. It is one of the oldest and most important Hokkien temple in Singapore. In the past, Chinese immigrants who had just completed their journey across the turbulent South China Sea to Singapore ,would make offerings of money and joss-sticks here in Thian Hock Keng as thanksgiving. 

Thian Hock Keng Temple

28 lions were here to salute the goddess. They went into the temple and out again.

That was followed by dragon dance.

2 rows of lion heads

Big Flags performance

These flags are almost ad long as the parade square and are quite heavy. The performers are able to balance them on their head,  arms, fists and even using their mouths.

Stunts like this was displayed. With the occasional wind, the flags almost fell, it can be quite a scare.

Another stunt

Drum performance.

Wushu 

My favorite segment : Lion dances on poles.

Such performance definitely require experience and skills. Some of the poles are place more than 1.5 meter apart! It is hard to jump 1.5m alone. What more together with a companion!

Lion stunts on poles

Linking with~