The Belait District Foochow Association organised a lion-awakening ceremony on Saturday to prepare for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations and to welcome the Year of the Dragon.
The ceremony highlights an annual tradition where the eyes, nose, ears, mouth and body of the lion costume are painted to signify the ‘awakening’ of the lions for the festive celebration.
A red ribbon is tied onto the horns of each lion costume as a symbol of courage and honour as well as a reminder for the lion to do good deeds. The association also painted a Chinese dragon which will accompany the troupe during the lion dance activities to mark the upcoming Year of the Dragon.
The ceremony also featured two of the association members dressed as Cai Shen Yeh to distribute ponkan (mandarin orange) to guests in hopes of bringing fortune and health to members and families.
Association chairman Tan Tei Tei as well as permanent honorary chairmen, heads of sections and committee members were present at the ceremony. – Daniel Lim
