If we have "drill team" or the "dance team" they have the lion dance team and it's so neat to me- something that has been carried on for MUCH longer than our local cheer squad. The tradition almost didn't continue at one point- it sounds like a Kung Fu movie but here's what I found from wikipedia...
During the 1950s-60's, people who joined lion dance troupes were “gangster-like” and there was a lot of fighting amongst lion dance troupes and kung fu schools. Parents were afraid to let their children join lion dance troupes because of the “gangster” association with the members... The violence got so extreme that at one point, the Hong Kong government had to put a stop to lion dance completely. Now, as with many other countries, lion dance troupes must attain a permit from the government in order to perform lion dance. Although there is still a certain degree of competitiveness, troupes are a lot less violent and aggressive. Today, lion dance is a more sport-oriented activity. Lion dance is more for recreation than a way of living.
and who would have thought there would be an African drum performance next to the Big Buddha?? Hong Kong has a wide range of things to offer as you can see... that's part of the fun. You never know what you'll see.
Peace and blessings to you today...
