The Dragon Dance: A Brief History
Dragon dance performers at the Chingay Parade in Singapore (circa 1980s), courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore
For those living in Singapore, Hong Kong, China and elsewhere, the noise of rhythmic drumming and cymbals in the street are a familiar sound, ringing in the beginning of Chinese New Year. More often than not, these sounds are produced from a lion dance troupe, commonly hired for parties and entertainment. On a rare occasion, however, one might be lucky enough to witness the undulating movement of a colourful dragon, propped up on poles, floating down the road. (As pictured above).
The lion dance’s lesser-known counterpart – the dragon dance, was brought to Southeast Asia by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century. Steeped in tradition, the dance originates from as far back as the Han dynasty, performed in Chinese courts for entertainment and as folk dances in ritualistic invocations for rain in provinces suffering from drought. As an auspicious figure, the Chinese dragon symbolises luck and power, and is regarded to have control over anything water-related. By performing the dragon dance, it is believed that evil forces are scared off, signaling rain, prosperity, and good luck.
“A Paper Dragon” – Wason Collection of Chinese Export Watercolors, courtesy of Cornell University Library
Comprising three sections – the head, body, and tail – dragon props are made from different materials including cloth, paper, or bamboo. The head, its most recognizable feature, is adorned with horns, glaring eyes, a wide-open jaw with a long, pointed tongue, and a white beard along its chin. Dancing with such a large and heavy prop, especially in tropical climates, is no easy feat – performers require extensive training to develop the strength and endurance required. Although a male-dominated sport, women have occasionally participated, as shown in a 1983 Straits Times (Singapore) article, shown below.
Unfortunately, the popularity of dragon dances has declined over the past few decades, due to a lack of funding, manpower, and exposure. Since it requires a bigger group of performers and a larger training and storage space, dragon dance performances have dwindled in comparison to lion dances. Nonetheless, a small number of dedicated troupes still train and perform with the dragon dance, motivated by a strong passion for its cultural and traditional roots, as well as the sense of camaraderie and community spirit that it fosters.
As we usher in the Year of the Dragon, perhaps we will see a resurgence in dragon dances as we celebrate Chinese New Year. Certainly, the History Ink team in Singapore hope to witness these majestic dragons in action!
References
https://www.roots.gov.sg/Collection-Landing/listing/1213437
https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/ss:547674
https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19830929-1.2.168.3.2
https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=848b0702-f59e-4ab6-8dc7-3f7f218131b7
