The Red Lion Dancer

The Red Lion Dancer Jessica Valentina

With a little trot, Mala excitedly entered the lion dance practice studio. It was Mala’s first day. “Let’s start with some physical exercises,” Coach said.

Mala had watched a lot of lion dance performances. The performers were so agile. Mala didn’t think that the training would be so hard. But she had to repeatedly do push ups and jumps and run around the field.

Mala was still enthusiastic, but her moves were getting slower.She was sweating profusely, and her legs began to tremble. “Get some rest,” Coach suggested.

“Just the beginner’s training is so exhausting,” Mala thought. “When can I do the red lion dance like them?”

The next part of training was about the stance. Coach said that lion dance performers needed strong and agile legs. The secret was in the basic stance

Mala also learned the rectangle and triangle techniques. Then, there was also a spinning move shaped like the letter Z. The names were different, but Mala couldn’t tell them apart.

“Mala, don't rush your moves. Move slowly!” Coach reminded Mala.

Oh no, Mala’s stance was still too high. A stance that wasn’t low enough would make the lion less agile when dancing.

Again, Mala’s moves were wrong. “Pay attention to your feet! Your steps were incorrect!” Coach ordered. This wasn’t supposed to happen. A lion dance team had to move according to the beat and count.

Next was training in pairs. Mala was appointed to lift up Yosi. Would Mala be able to do it?

“Hi-yah!” Mala lifted Yosi with all her might, but … Crash! Ouch!

“You must have forgotten to spread your legs!” exclaimed Yosi.Mala grimaced and apologized. Yosi just scowled.

Next, Mala practiced the drums. The drums couldn’t be hit carelessly. The standing position had to be sturdy. Mala was starting to get it. The basic stance was very important.

On the other side of the field, the lion dance team was practicing. Their dance was absolutely beautiful. Mala kept looking toward them, mesmerized. Her drumming became sloppy!

Mala’s hands were sweating. The drumstick kept slipping out of her grasp.

The other musicians were getting annoyed. “Mala! Hit the drums harder. We couldn’t hear them!” they complained. Apparently, Mala wasn’t lifting her hands high enough.

During break time, Mala fantasized about dancing the lion dance. Was the head of the lion dance costume heavy? The size was similar to this drum. Mala tried lifting it up. Ow, it was so heavy!

Meanwhile, the lion dance performers were able to easily lift the red lion’s head. Their feet moved in rhythm with the drum team. The red lion looked alive and agile because the musicians were skilled musicians.

Training started again. Mala was determined to concentrate more when playing the drum. Mala now knew how important a drum player was to a lion dance performance.​

Mala tried to hit the drum according to the beat. Tack … tack … dong … dong! Soon Mala’s beat was in tune. The sound of the drums was getting louder.

After several training sessions, Mala started to memorize the beat and the count. If the drum player played correctly, the cymbal and kenong players could follow the rhythm well. Mala was relieved.

Mala’s stance was getting stronger, and her moves were becoming more agile.

Mala was so glad she had kept trying after her first day. She knew one day she would dance the red lion.