Lion and dragon dance: From folk art to professional service
The traditional art form of lion and dragon dance, seemingly just a supplementary cultural activity, is quietly developing into a professional service industry, both nurturing passion and providing a livelihood for many people.
Passion knows no age.
Lion dance is a wonderful blend of cultural heritage and market demand. To survive and succeed in this field, in addition to diligent training, the artist must possess one thing: passion that knows no age.
For many, the journey to lion dance begins with an irresistible calling. Having been involved in the profession for over 20 years, Mr. Ho Manh Hung (41 years old), from Truong Vinh ward, recounts the moment he first became involved: “In 2005, during a Youth Union meeting, I participated in the lion dance and that's how I got into the profession.”
From a community activist, Mr. Hung transformed his passion into a career, becoming a leader, trainer, and service provider. Although his health no longer allows him to wear the lion dance costume for performances, he still maintains his role as an organizer, passing on his experience to the next generation. Mr. Hung's journey is a prime example of the development of a profession, from a grassroots movement to a professional service sector.
The essence of a lion dance performance lies not only in the harmonious coordination between the two dancers, but also in capturing the spirit of the mythical creature. Mr. Ha Ngoc Tuan (born in 1989), from Truong Vinh ward, a veteran lion dancer with 10 years of experience, affirms: “A beautiful lion dance is one that brings out the soul of the mythical creature. For me, a successful performance is when you feel like you are embodying it, becoming it. Whether it's the drinking act, the ball-grabbing act, or the dancing act, it all conveys its spirit and emotion in every movement.”
This is the essence of lion dance art: the performer must forget themselves and completely immerse themselves in the spirit animal. From the majestic head shake and playful licking of the fur to the powerful strides, everything must convey the message of good fortune and prosperity. Anh Tuan emphasized: “To perform beautifully, only passion and practice can lead to success. If you only do it for economic reasons, it will be difficult to succeed and stay in this profession for the long term. I have witnessed many such cases.”
If the lion dance is the soul, then the drums are the heartbeat of life. In a lion dance troupe, no matter how skillful and beautiful the dance is, if the drums are out of rhythm, the performance will fail. Many professional performers affirm that the drums are the key element determining success or failure. The drums not only maintain the rhythm but also create emotion, control the speed, and guide the story of the lion dance.
Having the honor of being recognized as an excellent drummer by her seniors, Pham Nguyen Hong Anh (born in 2008), from Thanh Vinh ward, is a clear example of the drumming profession's appeal to the younger generation. Initially encouraged by friends in middle school, Hong Anh started as a supporting dancer in lion dances. “At first, I was just a lion dance dancer, but gradually I found drumming enjoyable, so I started learning to play. Unexpectedly, the seniors appreciated my performance and let me play drums until now. The income from lion dance shows helps me support my parents financially,” Hong Anh shared.
Lion dance is not an easy job. It requires members to have good health and high endurance, as the movements often involve bending low and constantly twisting. Neck and back pain are commonplace for the main dancers. More dangerously, during the training of difficult movements, injuries such as neck sprains, ankle sprains, or scrapes from falls are frequent occurrences. Each successful performance is earned through sweat and bruises on the performer's body.
Many new opportunities
Along with the development of society and event culture, lion dance has undergone a significant transformation, from a seasonal activity to a thriving service industry with abundant job opportunities year-round.
The growth in market demand has led to the professionalization and expansion of lion dance troupes. While previously these troupes focused only on the Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year, they now operate almost continuously. Mr. Ho Manh Hung shared his thoughts on this change: “In recent years, lion dance services have developed significantly. It's not just for the Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year.”Mid-Autumn Festival"Lion dance performances are also highly booked for special occasions like festivals, New Year's Eve, grand openings, and groundbreaking ceremonies... Therefore, the period after Tet (Lunar New Year) is the busiest time. The lion dance troupes also grow larger. For example, my group currently has about 40-50 people."
The increase in manpower and the wide age range have created a young, healthy workforce ready to meet market demands. Currently, a fairly well-established market has formed in Nghe An province, with approximately 5-8 lion dance troupes of varying sizes, including 2-3 large troupes capable of handling complex and demanding programs.
This shows that lion dance has truly moved beyond its seasonal nature and become a diverse event service industry. As the market develops, competition is not only about the performers' skills but also about the quality of the props. Professional lion dance troupes have not hesitated to invest heavily to create the most perfect performances. Therefore, large troupes are willing to spend money to own hand-painted, exquisitely designed lion heads, worth tens of millions of dong. Members even design small details like shoes and hats themselves to ensure uniformity with the performance costumes, creating a complete overall look…
In addition to commercially successful shows, professional lion dance troupes continue to actively participate in other activities.volunteer programand perform for free for the community, especially meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival programs. This is not only a way to hone skills but also a responsibility to keep the flame of traditional culture alive.
