Recently, lion dance troupes from major cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Johor, Malaysia, engaged in a thrilling high-stakes lion dance competition in Guangzhou. The event drew widespread attention and discussion both domestically and internationally. The lion dance in Malaysia shares the same roots as the lion dance in Guangdong, with a deep friendship spanning 25 years between the Johor lion dance troupe and the Guangzhou lion dance troupe. Teoh Boon Fooi, the chairman of NamWah Kangkar Pulai Johor, Malaysia, remarked that the lion dance, as a cherished tradition among the Chinese, has transcended ethnic and religious boundaries to become a beloved cultural activity for all Malaysians, symbolizing the Chinese community's firm establishment in a foreign land.

"It was 1990 when we first went to Malaysia to compete. Stepping into the Malaysian National Stadium and seeing a row of poles up to 12 meters high left us utterly stunned! It was the first time we saw such tall poles, and no one dared to climb them," recalled Zhao Weibin, the chairman of the Guangzhou Dragon and Lion Dance Association, still amazed by his first encounter with high-stakes lion dancing.

At that time, the Guangzhou Workers' Lion Dance Association was the only representative from China to participate in the first Malaysian Golden Lion Dance Competition. The host prepared a large-scale high-stakes lion dance performance, marking its debut on the global lion dance stage. In 2007, this skill was listed as a "significant cultural heritage" by the Malaysian government. The high-stakes lion dance, as a traditional Chinese cultural expression, became a protected and promoted cultural heritage in Malaysia, a source of pride for all Chinese people.

Research indicates that dragon and lion dance activities have a strong following in certain regions of Malaysia, with many Chinese associations and community groups maintaining their own lion dance troupes. The states of Perak, Selangor, and Johor are particularly active in this tradition. By 2015, Johor alone boasted over 200 dragon and lion dance troupes. In 2018, the Malaysian Ministry of Education approved the inclusion of dragon and lion dance as official extracurricular activities in primary and secondary schools.

Teoh Boon Fooi, who has witnessed over 20 years of lion dance development in Malaysia, observed with pride how the activity has gradually become a national celebration enjoyed by all. Reflecting on these changes, his eyes shone with uncontainable joy and pride.

"The lion dance, as a traditional Chinese cultural practice, is something we hold in high regard. Thanks to the dedication of generations of Chinese Malaysians, the lion dance has now transcended ethnic and religious boundaries, becoming a popular cultural activity enjoyed by everyone. Whether it's a wedding or a new business opening, inviting a lion dance performance signifies that we have truly established ourselves in this foreign land," said Teoh Boon Fooi.

Both Zhao Weibin and Teoh Boon Fooi hope that the exchange of lion dance culture between China and Malaysia will continue to flourish, strengthening the friendship between the two countries and helping this cultural tradition transcend boundaries, passing it down through generations and expanding its reach even further.

Source :Lingnan on the Cloud

25年，中马两队的醒狮情缘

日前，来自中国粤港澳大湾区主要城市的舞狮队伍与马来西亚柔佛州醒狮队，在广州市展开了一场高桩狮王争霸赛，在网络上引发海内外广泛关注和热议。马来西亚醒狮与广东醒狮同根同源，马来西亚柔佛州的醒狮队更与广东广州醒狮队有着长达25年的深厚友谊。马来西亚柔佛州龙狮总会会长张文辉说，作为华人的传统文化，醒狮是我们格外珍视的民俗活动。醒狮如今跨越了不同族群、不同信仰，成为所有马来西亚人喜闻乐见的文化活动，意味着华人真正在异国他乡站稳了脚跟。

“那是1990年，我们到马来西亚参赛。走进马来西亚国家体育馆，看见一排最高达12米的高桩，我们目瞪口呆！那是第一次见到那么高的桩，压根没人敢上去。”中国广州市龙狮协会会长赵伟斌回想起自己第一次看到高桩舞狮的场景，至今还为之惊叹。

当时广州工人醒狮协会作为中国的唯一代表，参加第一届马来西亚金狮赛。东道主准备了这场大型高桩舞狮表演，这是高桩舞狮第一次亮相于世界醒狮舞台。在2007年，这项技艺被列入马来西亚国家文物遗产“重要文物”名单，高桩舞狮作为华人的传统文化，成为当地的文化遗产而受到大力保护和推广，这让所有华人引以为傲。

相关研究表明，龙狮活动在马来西亚的部分地区拥有广泛的群众基础，不少华人会馆、乡会、乡团组织，都拥有龙狮队，其中马来西亚霹雳州、雪兰莪州以及柔佛州的龙狮活动最为活跃。到了2015年，仅柔佛州就有200多个龙狮团体。2018年，马来西亚教育部批准把舞龙和舞狮列为小学与中学的正规课外活动。

马来西亚柔佛州龙狮总会会长张文辉亲历了醒狮在马来西亚发展的20余年，亲眼看着醒狮活动逐渐成为全国共享、全民乐享的喜庆的文化活动。在讲述这些变化之时，他的目光里流露出抑制不住的喜悦和自豪。

“作为华人的传统文化，醒狮是我们格外珍视的民俗活动。经过一代代华人的传承与坚守，醒狮如今跨越了不同族群、不同信仰，成为所有人都喜闻乐见的文化活动，新人结婚、新店开业都会邀请醒狮助兴，这意味着我们真正在异国他乡站稳了脚跟。”张文辉说。

赵伟斌和张文辉共同期待，中马两国舞狮交流能日益丰盛，能够大力推动两国两地友谊长青，进一步助力舞狮文化跨越族群，代代传承，走向更广阔的天地。

文 | 羊城晚报记者 周欣怡 朱绍杰
译 | 赵凡
英文审校 | 林佳岱