Photography Outing: Genting Lion Dance Competition

Lion dance has been a cultural staple growing up in Malaysia, especially during Chinese New Year. As a child, I was mesmerised by its graceful movements, pounding drums and living colour. It was culture and art with a heartbeat. This year, I rekindled that childhood wonder at the 15th International Genting Lion Dance Competition. Joining Nikon Singapore, a major sponsor of the event, I found myself among kindred spirits photographers from across Asia united by a shared love of photography and lion dancing.

As a photographer dabbling mostly in landscapes, I wanted to challenge myself — to trade stillness for motion and horizons for human stories. In this photography blog, I tried to capture not just the spectacle but the rhythm, energy and devotion that make lion dancing a timeless art.

I traveled to Genting the evening prior to the championship and was fortunate enough to see some of the teams rehearsing.

Below, a young performer stood behind the barrier, half lion, half boy, watching the stage where dreams would unfold. The blue seats glowed under the arena lights, calm and patient, holding the silence.

At the backstage, amid drums, props and painted lions, another performer sat resting, phone in hand. The colours of tradition surrounded him: gold, red and black, each carrying centuries of stories.

On the practice floor, young athletes balanced on pillars, rehearsing their leaps and landings in the quietness of the evening. Even in stillness, the focus and determination were noticeable.

Not all moments happen under the spotlight. On the morning of the competition, I caught sight of this troupe climbing the winding road to pay their respect at the local shrine. The drum led the way. Its deep, steady rhythm echoing against the concrete walls, not for the audience but for the spirits.

For many teams, stepping onto the red carpet wasn’t just a moment of competition, it was a moment of personal and national pride. There were a total of 40 teams from 15 countries competing. The countless hours of practice in small community halls, they all comes to this, a chance to be crowned the world champion.

Judging, I realised, was its own quiet performance. Beneath the spectacle, there was a layer of discernment and contemplation. The judges stood unwavering, eyes trained not just on form or flair but on the invisible — timing, technique and unity. They carried the weight of the tradition itself. Rivalry and reverence resting on their quiet observation. Each nod and mark on the scorecard was a gesture of respect for an art form that lived through precision as much as passion.

Every troupe entered the staging ground differently. Each performance beginning not with movement but with intention. Some lions emerged simply, stepping into the light with quiet grace. Others unfolded in grand spectacle with petals blooming, fans unfurling and music swelling to announce their arrival.

The musicians were the heartbeat. They were unseen yet indispensable. Their intensity matched the lions’ every move. The rise, the crouch and the sudden stillness before a leap. You could feel their energy ripple across the arena, igniting movement into meaning. Through my lens, I realised that while the lions commanded the stage, it was the musicians who kept their souls alive. They didn’t just keep time; they gave it a heartbeat.

In a typical performance, every movement builds towards the moment of the cai qing or “plucking the greens.” It’s more than a ritual but a story of pursuit, triumph and prosperity. Beneath the lion, two performers breathed as one. Every twitch, pause and leap choreographed yet alive. The crowd roared not just for the feat but for the feeling that prosperity is something pursued with courage, earned through rhythm and unity.

Modern lion dance has evolved into a fusion of tradition and innovation, where every team crafts its own myth. Whether slaying demons, confronting tigers, savoring wine or teasing crocodiles, the dance remains a vibrant expression of cultural identity, athletic mastery and creative storytelling. It was a living art that continues to roar with a blend of traditional art and local culture.

On the jongs or high poles, each leap becomes a tribute to tradition, teamwork and the timeless human drive to reach beyond what seems possible. It’s a moment of suspended storytelling - a heartbeat where balance, rhythm and emotions align. The lion soars, seemingly weightless, then lands with the confidence of a guardian spirit.

What makes these images extraordinary is that they capture more than athletic performance — they reveal a dialogue between courage, precision and control. Each lion head weights about 4 to 7kgs. Movements now demands absolute trust and split-second coordination. This is not only art and strength but courage in motion. Every landing is a triumph of focus over fear and every ascent a test of nerve. To stand at the edge of a pole, poised to leap into air and uncertainty, is to embody the lion’s spirit. Being bold, disciplined and alive with purpose.

Despite their incredible skill and precision, falls do happen. But what stood out wasn’t the fall. It was the crowds unending support and cheer. They do it not out of pity but in respect of their bravery and perseverance. There is honour in courage – a shared celebration of human spirit, unity and heart.

The competition stretched over three exhilarating days — each filled with rhythm, colour, and the pulse of thousands of hearts moving as one. By the end, it was Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association that stood triumphant, their victory not just a mark of technical mastery but a celebration of spirit, endurance and artistry. They had a final score of 9.78.

Lion dance, in all its splendour, is more than acrobatics; it is a living symbol of cultural memory and human resilience. Amidst the pounding drums and roaring cheers, we are reminded that culture is not static — it breathes, sweats, and evolves through those who dare to keep it alive.

Of all the images I took, this is the one that speaks with me. It reminded me that behind all the discipline, determination and seriousness there is always room for human joy – for enjoying new friendships, shared moments behind the lens and allowing my inner being to experience the unbridled joy of photography and lion dancing.