Skywatch-Lion Dance

This is so beautiful. I was strolling along Singapore River with hubby when I heard the sound of drums. So I hurried to where the sound comes from cause I knew there must be a lion dance somewhere.

The background of shophouses are restaurants and pubs. They used to be warehouses during the earlier days of Singapore. You might like to read an article about the warehouses which were also used by the Japanese as screening centres during WWII. (Source: Loyang Primary School )

The building in the background with colourful windows was once upon a time "Hill Street police station" which was also Singapore first jail during the Japanese Occupation. To know more about the building you could read it at Wikipedia.

A short video of the lion dance. These lion dancers are from Hongkong, they were rehearsing for a lion dance competition. This is the southern lion dance.

Types of Lion Dances

There are two types of lion dances, namely the Northern and Southern lion dance which differs in the appearance of the lion and the performance style.

Northern Lion Dance

The Northern school, practised in Beijing, is more acrobatic with the lion balancing on balls and on see-saws whilst being enticed by a pugilist dressed as a 'warrior'. The pugilist teasing the lion uses a fan or a ball and the interplay between him and the lion is the focus of the dance. The Northern Lion evolved from a Mongolian animal puppet placed on a post and paraded during festivals. The Northern Lion is furry with an orange and yellow, woollen coat.

Southern Lion Dance

The Southern school, which is more popularly performed in Singapore, originated in Guangdong. It involves a less hairy Lion which is taunted by a big-headed clown. They traditionally perform outdoors, the cai qing or literally "plucking the green", referring to the acrobatic act of picking up a sprig of lettuce from as high as three storeys, achieved only by using a pole or forming a human pyramid. The Southern lion has a 'skin' of white/yellow and brown/ black patterns. Whilst the Northern Lion is reputedly fierce, with a serious temperament, the Southern Lion is tame and playful. (Source: infopedia )

For other sky watchers, please hop over to Skywatch blog.