Lion Dance in the Neighbourhood

Today is the 12th day of Chinese New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. In the split of time, Chinese New Year of 2010 is coming to an end. Flashing back, it was as if yesterday when I actually packed my bag; preparing to fly back to Kuching for CNY, and now, I am back here in Subang to continue my practical. Wow, happy moments really passed so soon ... Indeed, this year CNY for me is a boom! I have been enjoying every moment of them; the food, the people, the fun, the laughter and the gatherings. Haha :) Just to re-cap, on the 3rd day of CNY, my best friend, Chung Ann threw an open house with Lion Dance show. Being my bestie, of course, I will attend to his house. Free camera-man for him, what's else can he says 'bout me, yeah? Anyway, thanks for the lunch treat. It was awesome food!

The guy with red and white stripes shirt is my best friend,
Chung Ann.
Look at the amount of food he had prepared;
we had Sweet & Sour Pork Rib,
Thai Style Pork Rib,
Deep Fried Squid, Fillet,
Yang Zhou Fried Rice and more ...

The Firecracker
It will be burnt as the Lion march in later ...
The "bi li ba la" melody of Firecracker will
blast away all the bad omens
and brings in all the best of luck for everyone;
reconciling the legends in olden Chinese history,
where the villagers will burn the Firecracker
during CNY to scare off the "Nian" monster

Here come the Lion team ...
We all have been anticipating since just now,
finally, they arrived after delays
for close to an hour ...
~Phew!~
Well, that's very normal as the Lion team
usually go house to house for performance,
hardly, they can keep the time
accurate due to unforeseen circumstances ...
Haha :)

The twin brother posed in front with the Lion heads

Ready, set, go, go, go ...
~ Dong dong chein ... ~

The Drummers team ...
Rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals enlighten the event
It was just so happening in the
neighbourhood ...

The Golden Lion entered the house, to bless the family

Ready for the blessing ceremony ...
See the Round Cabbage, China Long Cabbage,
Long Bean, Oranges on the table?
They will be used for preparing the gifts later
to the host by the Lion team
Not so sure why these items are chosen;
most probably they represent good signs;
for example; long bean may represent longevity,
mandarin oranges represents prosperity and wealth ...
Haha :)

On the floor, preparing the gifts ...

The Black Lion, nicknamed, "Guan Gong"
is said to bring luck in running business and entrepreneurship.
The Chinese believe "Guan Gong" will bless us for abundancy
for the new year to come.
"Ong lai, Ong lai ha ...!"

A close-up shot ...
I like this picture personally,
what 'ya think?

Putting the gifts back on the table ...

Look!
The Lion had just drank,
did you see the Beer can on the floor?
Lolz :)

... and it is drunk now!
Performing the Drunken Fist for the audiences ...
It was so funny with some
imbalance and humorous acts left and right

The "Guan Gong" was playing with the children
They were all so happy and smiling wide ...
When I was young just like them, I used to be very scare with Lion;
some more with the gruesome and the hard-beating drums,
I was most of time, hiding behind my mum and dad ...
Haha :)

The Cabbage Flower on the table;
to be presented to the host
and the owner of the house ...

The Lions saluted and paid respect to the
owner and host of the house;
marking the end of the performance and blessing ceremony.
Yeah, bye bye Lions,
see you next year again!


Gong Xi Gong Xi ... :)