In Jiaozuo, Henan, "playing a tiger" is an indispensable traditional art in festivals. As Spring Festival celebrations become popular in more and more countries, some overseas dragon and lion dance teams have added tiger elements to their performances. There is inheritance and innovation. Let's watch the Chinese and foreign tiger dance together in the Year of the Tiger!

In Jiaozuo, Henan, at the foot of Taihang Mountain, the traditional folk dance - tiger dance, also known as "playing a tiger", is inspired by the tiger's soaring, jumping, fluttering, lying and other movements, and created a sturdy shape, a mighty movement, Funny and characteristic dance.

Chen Ling, the inheritor of the tiger dance in Zhuanjing Village, Boai County, Jiaozuo, introduced that the folk art of "playing a tiger" has a history of 100 years. As an entertainment project in the village during the slack season, the dance moves of "playing a tiger" are down-to-earth and easy to master. As long as interested villagers can join the performance team to "play a show".

The 18-year-old Gao Bo is already a "senior player" in the local performance team. With three years of experience in tiger dance, he did not hesitate to choose to participate in the training and performances during the Spring Festival this year, even in the face of the pressure of the college entrance examination. "Since I was a child, I have seen the adults in the village 'playing tigers', and they are particularly powerful. 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, and I don't want to miss this good intention. I will show off the tiger's prestige and strive for a good score in the college entrance examination."

Gao Bo said that as long as conditions permit, he will continue to play the tiger. "When I have the opportunity in the future, I will try to do Douyin and post on Weibo to let more people know about our tradition of 'playing tigers' and help us play tigers better."

In a factory in Subang, Selangor, Malaysia, jumping, spinning, shaking their heads and tails on high piles is not the "wake lion" that people are familiar with, but the "king" in the forest - "tiger".

Xiao Feihong, known as the "Lion King" in Malaysia, is guiding the training of the players of the Subang Hongde Dragon and Lions team. For a long time, Xiao Feihong has actively promoted lion dance performances in Malaysia, leading the lion dance team to win many awards in international lion dance competitions. In addition to dragon and lion dances, his team also actively innovated, performing tiger dances for the Spring Festival of the Year of the Tiger and injecting new elements into the inheritance of traditional culture.

"No one has seen Xianglong, but the lion and dragon dances created by the Chinese are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and are very popular. This is the meaning of innovation. Then, the tiger dance can definitely be done!" he said.

"'The Tiger Reports Peace' means 'reporting peace to each other'. I hope Wuhu can bring everyone a safe and secure year."

Under the inheritance and innovation of overseas Chinese, the dragon and lion dance "harvested" a large number of foreign fans. Many foreigners not only love to watch, but also turn the lion dance into a hobby.

David Mendes, a young Panamanian boy, began practicing lion dance at the age of 14 under the influence of his Chinese neighbors. More than ten years have passed, and now he has set up a lion dance class and become a lion dance coach. "The lion dance allowed me to exercise a strong body, taught me how to cooperate, and brought me full of positive energy."

As Panama announced that the Chinese Spring Festival will be included in the national celebration, during the Spring Festival in 2022, 18 Chinese lions representing auspiciousness will take to the streets to celebrate and perform, becoming an eye-catching highlight of the opening ceremony of the celebration.

"2022 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger. I heard that there will be a tiger dance performance in China, which is very interesting. I hope to try adding tiger elements to the lion dance in the future," said the Panamanian boy. Editor/Ma Xue