For ethnic groups in the northern province of Lang Son, lion dance has great meaning as it is expected to bring them good luck and wealth. It often makes village festivals more joyful.

Lion dance is known among the Kinh, Hoa, Tay, Nung ethnic groups. It brings vitality to the festivals, symbolising people’s aspirations for a better life.

Three imposing lions step out accompanied by the noisy sound of drums and gongs. The biggest black lion is the father lion, which Tay people call tiger. Other smaller lions, blue and yellow, are his children. In Hoang Van Thu ward, Lang Son city, a lion is controlled by two people who hold its head and tail. People enthusiastically follow its every dance step rhythmically to the sound of drums and gongs.              

Do Tien Doanh, in Hoang Van Thu ward, Lang Son city, said during the festivals, mandarins sitting in the lectics were proceeded by for protection. Lion dance is a way to pray for good luck and wealth so that businessmen can sell their goods well, and farmers can reap bumper crops.

Tay-Nung ethnic minority people perform their lion dance in different steps, including prostrating, saying hello, giving birth, jumping and dancing. Music is very important, as drummers have to keep rhythm with the steps of performers.

Besides, just a few people know how to control the tiger. According to Hoang Thanh Xuan, head of a lion dance team in Lang Son city, most performers need more than 10 years of experience before getting the knack of controlling the black tiger. Those who perform well can teach the skills to others, he noted.

Mr. Xuan added that black tiger head is only used in big festivals or ceremonies. Before any performance on the stage, it must be brought to temple to offer incense, and pray for good luck.

Hoang Thanh Xuan said that the tiger must lick the door before entering any house, then prostrate three times before the ancestors altar. He said as the gate is often haunted by ghosts or evils, the tiger just wants to drive them away. After that, the tiger had to dance symbolically before the altar. After praying, the performers dance to the sound of music to say goodbye to the master of the house. Each team usually consists of 5 or 6 members, all of whom can play drums and gongs.

Controlling the lion’s head is more difficult than its tail because it is heavier and requests firm steps. The tail only needs to follow suit.

Meanwhile, Tay ethnic minority people in Van Quan, Cao Loc, Trang Dinh like to see lion dances with lion cubs, usually a pair of mother lion and her cub performing together. Nong Van Chuong in Huu Le commune, Huu Lung district, said the lion cub must perform as if it tries to follow his mother’s steps.

Lion dance in the spring festival is meant to pray for good crops. During the first three days of the Tet festival, villagers like to see their own team of lion dance perform or compete with other teams coming from the nearby areas. Merry goes around.

Source: VOV