The dance is usually performed during festivals and special occasions, particularly during Tet (Lunar New Year).
The performance mimics a lion’s or a dragon’s movement to bring luck and prosperity in the new year. A family or a business visited by a lion dance performance is believed to have good luck for the rest of the year.
The costumes and accessories used by the performers come in various colors and shapes, but all must inspire fear and power to chase away monsters and evils. Traditional dance is considered folk and martial art, as performers must master complex movements.
The complex choreography is accompanied by drums called ‘the Seven-Star’ drums that can only be played by the master or second master of the dojo.
The performance wouldn’t be complete without “Ong Dia,” the Spirit of the Earth, depicted as a jolly man with a palm-leaf fan. He is believed to have the power to summon mystical animals and leads the dancing troupe, clearing the paths for performers.
Robam dance – A unique genre of Khmer traditional theatre
NDO – Robam dance, a traditional art form of the Khmer ethnic community in Tra Vinh province has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, according to a recent decision issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Mask dance – An intangible cultural heritage in Lang Son
NDO – Mask dancing is a long-standing traditional practice which has been performed throughout many generations of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in the northern province of Lang Son.
Ethnic Minorities Celebrate Start of New Year
NDO – A wide variety of cultural and arts activities, themed “Spring on the uplands”, are taking place at the Vietnam National Villages For Ethnic Culture And Tourism in Son Tay District, Hanoi from January 1-31.
Mong ethnic people in northwest celebrate Tet festival
Mong ethnic people in the mountainous northwestern region are celebrating their traditional Tet festival, Nao Pe Chao at the end of the 11th Lunar month.
Performances with Straw Buffaloes
On the 4th day of Tet (the Lunar New Year), local people in Bich Dai and Dong Ve villages (Dai Dong commune, Vinh Tuong district in northern Vinh Phuc province) hold a festival with many events, including the most anticipated performance with rice straw buffaloes.
