Malay lasses praised for lion dance drumming, cymbal mettle to usher in Year of the Fire Horse

 

IF given a chance to shine on equal footing, the oft-dubbed timid or lembik Malay girls can shine to the extent of being at par if not better than their Chinese peers if the mastery of drumming and cymbal skills of Malay girls in this lion dance troupe can serve as a yardstick.

Their master class display captured by Lion Dance Chaser – a lion dance enthusiast – in a Facebook Reel with an apt one-liner “#1 Lion Dance” received massive applauses if gauged from the 594K views, 14.3K likes, 422 comments and 1K share at the time of writing.

Insert FB Rell

“This scene is common in Muar, Johor. Malay parents let their children join Lion/Dragon dance team. ,” revealed one Jimmy Tan with another commenter exclaimed that “there’s nothing wrong with learning any art that exists in the world”.

While one commenter reckoned that the Chinese must reciprocate by learning to play kompang (Malay frame drum)”, another acknowledged that “we’re proud the Malays are smart, too”.

That the 25-second clip showcases the ability of Malay girl to break racial and religious barriers with flying colours has prompted a retiree to moot the “inclusion of this proud happy ‘all-in-one & one with all’ combo performance in the annual Merdeka Parade event list to promote multi-cultural living”.

Few others echoed the true cross-culture and harmonious spirit among Malaysians of diverse ethnical background and faith.

That all he Malay girls were tudung-clad with black long-sleeve undershirt beneath their red short-sleeve troupe’s official wear has prompted an observant viewer to remark that “immersing/experiencing other races’ cultures doesn’t destroy one’s faith and yet some perceived that festive decorations will”.

Her response received a thumbs up from one presumably liberal-minded Muslim commenter with “feeling is good … muhibah ”.

Nevertheless, some cheeky commenters teasingly wondered why there is silence from UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh who often portrayed himself as a staunch defender of race and religion.

“Akmallllllllllllll … you see that? No statement? Or are you hiding at the cat park? ,” jibed one.

Others mocked the ultra-conservative PAS for the Islamic party’s ‘muteness’ given Muslims involvement in lion dance could be deemed as “haram” just like “Christmas decorations”.

At the end of the day. the Malay lasses have enlivened the meaning of “Malaysia Boleh”. 

- focus malaysia