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Mo Si Chaing (Lion Dance)

Chinese Lion Dance has always been part of traditional Chinese Martial arts but has only recently become popular among European practitioners thanks to the efforts of Masters like Sifu Bob Stannels.
This colourful Chinese tradition has two martial artists perform arrangements and freeform stance work from their particular Kung Fu style inside a lion suit (see photo). To bring the Lion to life the lead performer, moves and gestures the head in a cat-like playful manner while the rear performer co-ordinates lifts and jumps while providing support. The Lion Dance is usually performed on Chinese new year to bring luck and good fortune but is also performed at weddings, restaurant openings and festivals etc.

The Lion Dance Troupe usually includes a drummer, cymbal players, and a gong with two performers in the Lion. There are various kinds of 'dance' the most popular is the where the Lion must retrieve a 'Chaing' (lettuce containing an envelope with money inside) located above a doorway or other difficult to reach place. The Seir Chaing (snake lettuce) is also popular; this is usually performed if the shop owner wants to test the schools Kung Fu skills. A spear is used to represent the snake's body, 2 broadswords are used as fangs and the lettuce is the head with 2 oranges for eyes. After a 'fight' that ends with the Lion symbolically eating the snake, the 2 performers leave the costume and fight using the weapons.

As more Kung Fu schools are embracing the Lion Dance tradition competitions have become more popular, which has helped to increase the skill and competence of the performers. To win a competition a team would have to climb over obstacles and navigate difficult routes in front of judges. Each troupe is given points based on their skill and finesse to decide a winner. The most skilled Lion would be able to perform the Kiu Chaing (Bridge Lettuce) where the route would be high above the ground and the danger of a serious fall is very real.

Sifu Stannels believes that all Kung Fu schools should train in Lion dance, not only because it is tradition but also because it brings money into a school, develops foundation skills (powerful stances etc) and unites the students.
There are 3 types of Lion the Buk Si (Northern Lion), Fut Saan Si (Fut Saan Southern Lion) and Hok Saan Si (Crane Mountain Lion)

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