Chapter 35: CNY Unicorn & Lion Dance of Yesteryears

On 2 February 2024, Pope Francis was reported to have an audience with a delegation from the Italy-China National Federation. Troupe from the Chinese Martial Arts Academy of Vercelli brought the Dragon and Lion to the Apostolic Palace in Vatican. Before the martial arts performance, the pontiff was also invited to paint the Lion's eye - a ritual traditionally meant to empower the Lion to fulfill its duty of bringing good luck, health and prosperity to those present.

This is indeed a rare sight when a head of a religion is seen doing an act that some of the conservative adherents of that faith may find it difficult to accept!

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In the 1950's to mid-1960's, the old Lok Yuk School at Signal Hill where I spent my primary school education and part of my high school education had a unicorn troupe. The troupe members were students of the school. Before every Lunar New Year, they had to undergo vigorous training in martial arts in preparation for performance around the town of Jesselton (Kota Kinabalu). Throughout the lunar new year season, members of the troupe had to forego celebrating the Chinese new year with their families, relatives and friends.  It's a sacrifice I believe they were happy to accept. A primary school classmate of mine who was also my neighbour was a keen member of the troupe. During that period, he was not available to join us roaming around the village, playing games, igniting fire crackers and occasionally being given ang pow by the elders.

Every year, before the launching of the unicorn for the festival, a Blessing Ceremony would be held. I remember participating in one of the Blessing Ceremonies in either 1964 or 1965 when I was in Bridge Class or Form 1. The ceremony was traditionally held in the late afternoon or early evening of the Lunar New Year Eve. It was led by the church pastor and attended by the troupe leader and a unicorn handler among others. The ceremony was held at the small hill beside the old basketball court. The ceremony started with a short exaltation followed by a prayer of blessing for the unicorn and the troupe members by the pastor. After that, the unicorn was led to plug a few green leaves from a nearby tree, chew and swallow them. This signifies that the unicorn is fed and is ready for action!

The unicorn troupe of old Lok Yuk School was eventually disbanded probably in between mid-1960's to late 1960's. The reason for the disbandment was unclear. However, I recall hearing comments made by some members of Basel Church that the hosting of a unicorn troupe under the Church's jurisdiction was incompatible with the Christian faith. Whenever the unicorn troupe was asked to perform in families practising ancestral worship or of Buddhist faith, the unicorn were often led to bow and pay homage to the ancestral altar or altars lined with Chinese deities. Some considered such act to be inappropriate for the troupe members of Christian faith to be involved in. Whether this is the reason for the disbandment, I am not certain!

Incidentally, La Salle School KK under the Roman Catholic Church did have a Lion Troupe around the time when old Lok Yuk School had their Unicorn. That troupe too was disbanded!

Colourised Photo.

A female schoolmate, Lynette recently pointed out that she and another classmate of her were also members of the troupe. She is seen squatting next to a unicorn at front row second from left in this old photo. Her classmate , a daughter of a Pastor of Basel Church Jesselton then is at her left.

Troupe performed along the streets of old KK.

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These days, lion, unicorn and dragon troupes are still aplenty in KK. Most are under some Chinese school boards or the management of Chinese temples.

Interestingly, these days, most of the troupe members are non-Chinese. In the case of SJK(C) Yick Nam Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Troupe, Chinese members are a mere 5% (Read here)

I recall writing a blog about lion dance and Chinese culture in February 2013. The declining participation of Chinese in unicorn, lion and dragon troupes is continuing and I may add - this trend is irreversible (Read here)!

Incredibly, the popularity of lion dance and the participation of Australians of Chinese descent in the lion dance troupes is on the rise in Perth. This popularity is fueled firstly by the active promotion of this part of the Chinese culture by the local Chinese Clan Associations. Secondly,  many Chinese parents also encourage their children to join these lion dance troupes to learn the arts and skill of lion dance performance. This news was conveyed to me just this morning by my daughter during the online "Bai Nian" from family members residing in Australia and Singapore!