History and Culture of Lion Dance

The State Government has increased the allocation for schools and non-Islamic religious bodies by RM2.7 million to RM56.75 million in 2024. The State Government remains committed to foster an inclusive environment where every community feels supported, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said, at the Little Hong Kong National and International High Pole Lion Dance Competition on 3 November 2024 at the Sandakan Sports Complex, an event which has attracted eight international teams from various parts of the world.

Sandakan, formerly known as Little Hong Kong, has been a melting pot of cultures, where, among other cultural icons, the lion dance has thrived as a symbol of unity and cultural pride. Hajiji said that the State Government supports the culture and traditions of the multiracial people in Sabah, including the lion dance, which is intertwined within the state’s cultural fabric.

In January 2024, the State Government has donated lion heads to 39 lion dance associations in Sandakan, and, also, to associations in other districts. Local associations have vitalised the lion dance tradition and they have shared skills and knowledge through generations, ensuring that the lion dance remains vibrant and relevant. The Chief Minister said that lion dance has evolved and flourished in Malaysia and has become an integral part of the nation’s cultural celebrations, and especially during the Lunar New Year and other significant festivals. In August 2024, the Malaysia and China governments have jointly nominated the ancient art form of lion dance for inclusion into UNESCO’s cultural heritage list.

“The lion dance event in Sandakan highlights the global appeal of the lion dance and it promotes the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect, Hajiji said. “It is through such gatherings that we strengthen our bonds, learn from each other, and celebrate our shared cultural heritage.”

Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, represented the CM and delivered Hajiji’s speech.