Huaian Lion Dance

Jiangsu
🎧  Listen to Introduction

Lion dance is an extension of the traditional dance category of the fifth batch of representative items of Huai'an's municipal intangible cultural heritage. Lion dance is a performance in which performers dress up as lions under the music of gongs and drums, and use various postures of the human body and the cooperation of the lion head and tail to integrate strength, amplitude, speed, etc. into the lion dance skills. In the changes of dynamic and static shapes, it shows the lion's bravery, fierceness, naughtiness and lively habits. It originated in the Three Kingdoms period and became popular during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. It has a history of more than 1,000 years. The lion dance in Liujun Town, Huai'an District has a history of nearly 100 years. In the early 20th century, Zhao Zhengshan from Yongxing Village, Liujun Town, made a living by pulling a rickshaw in Wuxi, learned the lion dance skills, and spread them back to his hometown, which has continued to this day. The "lion" of the lion dance in Liujun Town adopts traditional handmade methods, and the main materials are bamboo strips, cotton cloth, silk thread, iron wire, etc. First, use bamboo strips to make the outline skeleton of the lion's head, and then cover it with cotton cloth, then draw patterns, fill in colors, and decorate with ornaments, and the lion head is basically formed. The lion dance style of Liujun Town is mainly based on the southern lion. When dancing the lion, two people work together to play the lion, either alone or in pairs. The main routines include worshipping out of the mountain, playing with a ball, crossing obstacles, two lions fighting for food, thirsty drinking sweet springs, climbing up the table, bidding farewell and returning to the mountain, etc. In addition, there are many dancing modeling movements, such as: starting, normal, rising, doubtful advance, scratching, welcoming treasure, bowing, jumping in surprise, examining, sleeping soundly, coming out of the cave, showing off, crossing the mountain, going up the stairs, etc. The dancers use different horse steps and the lion head movements to express various shapes abstractly. Liujun lion dance integrates martial arts, dance, and acrobatics. The lion dancers use their movement skills to show the majesty, stability and strength of the lion. It has the characteristics of vivid forms, tacit cooperation, and distinct rhythm. It integrates dance art and folk culture in one, and is deeply loved by the masses. It is an excellent traditional folk art.

Intangible culture related to the heritage

China tourist attractions related to the heritage