by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani
JAKARTA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- In Southeast Asia, the Chinese-originated lion dance has evolved from a traditional cultural performance into a nationally recognized professional art sport.
This transformation is particularly evident in Indonesia. Once primarily showcased during Chinese New Year celebrations, lion dance has become a daily activity for many performers. Indonesian lion dancers now aspire to compete on the world stage, aiming to reach the final rounds of major international competitions.
Among them is the Kong Hahong group, selected by the Indonesian Dragon and Lion Dance Sport Federation. For the past three months, the team has trained almost daily in preparation for the 2025 Genting World Lion Dance Championship, the world's most prestigious lion dance competition, which runs from Friday to Sunday in Genting, Malaysia.
Andri Wijaya, the 40-year-old coach of the eight-member team, emphasized that lion dance is far more than just an acrobatic movement. "It's about the story behind the dance, the speed, the technique, and the music," he told Xinhua in a recent interview. "We really need to have energy, to have speed."
This year's championship features more than 40 teams from across the globe, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Vietnam. Last year, Malaysia claimed the title, following Singapore's win the year before.
Andri, who has been involved in lion dancing for 26 years, expressed hope that Indonesia could secure a spot in the top 10. "The pressure is real, so we really need to give our best," he said.
He noted that the lion dance community has grown beyond borders. "Previously, Malaysia dominated the lion dance scene in Southeast Asia. But now, it's expanding," he explained.
In Indonesia, the growth has been remarkable. "It used to be centered in big cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Semarang. But now you can find lion dance competitions even at the district level," Andri said. As a coach, he often serves as a judge at regional tournaments and actively scouts for new talent to represent Indonesia internationally.
"Lion dancers who once performed only to celebrate Chinese New Year are now competing for achievements. The development is truly extraordinary," he added.
Andri believes lion dance serves not only as a medium for cultural exchange, but also as a form of art and sport that unites the younger generation.
"What we fear about the youth is that they might get into drugs or fights. Through this community, we hope to prevent such things. We come together, channel our energy into achievements, that's what it's all about," he said. ■
