District 18 News
Written by: Lu Ningmin
2020-09-30 21:43
Last update date: 2020-09-30 21:43
Tomorrow (October 1) Mid-Autumn Festival, the nearly 140-year-old Taikeng Fire Dragon Dance has been cancelled due to the epidemic this year.
Since the origin of the fire dragon dance was that the residents used incense and firecrackers to get rid of the plague, the neighborhoods of Tai Hang felt a pity.
There is a Tai Hang neighbourhood who hopes to inherit the tradition of fire dragon dance, so he spontaneously collaborated with illustrators to create fire dragon dance lanterns. Starting today (29th), guests who visit designated restaurants in Tai Hang will receive a lantern. I hope to replace the fire dragon with a lantern, pass its spirit to the next generation, and continue to gather the unity forces in the region.
On the night of the moon, a black rainstorm warning was also ushered. Many Tai Hang neighbourhoods were not busy continuing their traditions. They made a "mini fire dragon" filled with incense candles and sounded gongs and drums beside them, hoping to drive away the plague and pray for the citizens.
The Mid-Autumn Festival fire dragon dance is a traditional custom in Tai Hang, which has a history of more than 100 years.
(Information Picture/Photo by Jiang Zhiqian)
The annual Mid-Autumn Festival event, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, was originally scheduled to be held from September 30 to October 2.
However, the Dakengfang Public Welfare Association stated that in response to the uncertainty of the spread of the epidemic, in order to avoid crowds, the relevant activities were cancelled.
In order to give play to the spirit of community mutual assistance and to continue the spirit of praying for the fire dragon dance in Tai Hang, the Tai Hang Neighborhood Welfare Association and nearly 40 local shops, sponsored by Yahoo, organized the "Yahoo Pit Fire: The Taste of Tai Hang" event. In addition to technology presents the fire-dragon dance, it also offers discounts to citizens. Among them, the fire-dragon lantern distribution event is arranged by the owner of a grocery store in the district.
Calvin, the owner of the Taikeng grocery store, is the person in charge of arranging the fire dragon lantern event. The lantern in his hand is designed by the female master Shen Yemao, and he needs to attend a workshop to learn the production process.
(Photo by Lu Ningmin)
"The Mid-Autumn Festival in Tai Hang has a lively New Year!" Calvin, the initiator of the fire dragon lantern dance event, said with a smile.
He moved into Tai Hang last year and opened a grocery store in the area. Talking about his first participation in the fire dragon dance last year, he couldn’t hide his excitement, "The fire dragon is really important! It requires 100 people to dance together, including foreigners and elementary school students. The incense system drips and drips. It’s so hard.” Although the dance is sweaty, it brings a great sense of belonging. “The biggest concept of the fire dragon is inheritance. All males are united. Once you dance, you will know that you belong. People of Du (Tai Hang)."
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The fire dragon dance in Dakeng has a history of many years. Every year, the wind and rain does not change, the master falls to dance the fire dragon through the streets in the district.
(Information Picture/Photo by Jiang Zhiqian)
The Taikeng fire dragon is 220 feet long, with more than 20,000 joss sticks in its body. The Taikeng males responsible for the dragon dance are all sweaty.
(Information Picture/Photo by Jiang Zhiqian)
Calvin pointed out that the lantern was designed by the female master god Wildcat, and it features two colorful fire dragons with the words "Reunion of People and Moon" and "Dragon Blessing the Great Hang".
There are two types of fire dragon lanterns. To make lanterns, you need to participate in the workshop to make them. The small fire dragon lanterns can be obtained by visiting restaurants in the area with fire dragon lantern promotional leaflets.
"I don’t want the fire dragon to stop, but the fire dragon can’t stop! In addition to traditional culture, fire dragon dance is also a concept. You don’t need to dance the fire dragon. I dance the fire dragon lantern, everyone will hold the fire dragon and go. There are fire dragons around Mi." He recalled that the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003, residents of Tai Hang even went to the Amoy Gardens to dance the fire dragon. "The elders believe that after the fire dragon dance, the plague will go away."
Warren, the proprietor of one of the restaurants that participated in the distribution of fire dragon lanterns, said that under the epidemic, business has dropped by 30 to 40%, which is a big hit. In the past, the Tai Hang fire dragon dance can also attract many people from outside the area to watch and patronize restaurants. He hopes By distributing lanterns to increase the festive atmosphere, it can also promote the flow of people. "I hope that the publicity will help, and I also want to gather strength in the community through activities and continue the tradition of Tai Hang."
Although the neighbourhood welfare association announced the cancellation of the fire dragon dance earlier, there are still representatives in the district dancing "mini fire dragon" today. The observatory issued a yellow rainstorm warning, a red rainstorm warning and a black rainstorm from 7:15 pm to 8:10 pm. caveat.
Under the torrential rain, the neighborhood of Tai Hang insisted on filling the fire dragon with incense even though the whole body was soaked, and playing gongs and drums beside the fire dragon. The festive atmosphere was still strong, and we hope to bring blessings in the epidemic.
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