KUCHING: Fu Hok Dragon and Lion Dance Association is roaring into the festive season with a surge in lion dance bookings while carving a niche in the specialised craft of traditional lion head making.
Ronny Chin of Fu Hok Dragon and Lion Dance Association said demand this year has exceeded expectations, particularly during the Chinese New Year period.
“Compared to our regular customers who book us every year, we are also seeing new clients coming in,” he told Sarawak Tribune when met recently.
Chin shared that in January alone, the association secured about 15 bookings prior to Chinese New Year and bookings surged to over 50 performances for this month.
To manage the packed calendar, Chin said the team relies on a detailed scheduling system.
“We record everything in a book such as the time, venue and travel route to ensure there are no clashes,” he explained.
Apart from Kuching, the association has branches in Sri Aman and Miri. Requests are handled by the branch there, ensuring smoother coordination across Sarawak.
Performance fees vary depending on the occasion. On regular days, a standard performance starts from RM900, while Chinese New Year rates, especially from the first to sixth day, are priced at RM688 per session for normal performances.
Beyond Chinese New Year, he said lion dance performances remain in demand for shop openings, weddings and even Hari Raya celebrations.
“Yes, we do receive bookings during Raya. At first, it felt unusual, but the community is very accepting. Now, it’s quite common,” he said, noting that word-of-mouth recommendations play a big role in securing engagements.
The association comprises members aged between 15 and above 30, with the youngest recruit just 15 years old. Members come from diverse backgrounds, including Malay, Dayak and Chinese youths.
Chin said recruitment begins by identifying students’ interests and natural inclinations.
“I observe what they are comfortable holding, whether it’s the lion head or the drum. Then I test their talent and train them accordingly,” he said.
Training intensity depends on individual ability. For talented newcomers, Chin said it may take about a year to perform at a basic level, while mastering the art beautifully can take three years or more.
The team is also active in competitions across Sarawak and Malaysia. In December last year, Chin said three teams were sent to Kuala Lumpur, where they finished in the top 10 nationwide.
“There are challenges competing in Peninsular Malaysia, especially transporting equipment. Sometimes we have to reduce the size of our props or borrow equipment there,” he said adding that the association is set to host another competition in September this year.
Beyond performances, the association stands out for its lion head craftsmanship under Kuching Culture Craft. Chin said that 56 lion heads have been produced so far this year, some of which were exported overseas.
“In Sarawak, there are only two known places making lion heads — us in Kuching and another small-scale maker in Limbang. In Peninsular Malaysia, there are about four,” he said.
He admitted the craft is demanding and requires patience and endurance.
“One lion head takes about a week to complete. It involves four main stages — building the rattan frame, wrapping it with cloth and paper, painting, and finally attaching the fur, eyes and finishing touches. Each stage is separate and requires focus,” he explained.
According to Chin, most of the lion heads crafted today are of the Southern Lion style. Traditionally, their colours were inspired by characters from the Three Kingdoms era, symbolising different warriors and a ruler. However, modern designs now cater to customers’ colour preferences.
While the work can be exhausting, Chin said passion keeps them going.
“You must really love it to sit there from morning until midnight to complete one,” he said.
With strong bookings, growing youth participation and specialised craftsmanship, Kuching Fu Hok Dragon and Lion Dance continues to preserve tradition while adapting to evolving community demand across Sarawak.
