The Malaysian Insight

THE Chinese Lunar New year is two weeks away but lion dance troupes are already fully booked for the festive period.

Troupes in Malacca, Kedah and Kuala Lumpur said they are all fully booked until the Lantern Festival.

The situation is a far cry from that of the last two year when lion dances were barred because of the fear of Covid-19 infection. This is the first year since 2021 that the festival will be celebrated without virus restrictions.

Wen Wei lion dance troupe president Steve Hau in Malacca told  The Malaysian Insight the demand for performances has been overwhelming. 

“Businesses and malls that never bothered to have these lion dance performances before the pandemic have booked one this year,” he said.

“People are hoping to get rid of the bad luck, start afresh with a dose of good luck.”

Hau said regular customers had made their booking in July last year so as not to get disappointed, adding that the bookings picked up dramatically from November.

Hau said three or four performances were scheduled daily.

Prices have gone up, too. The rates are RM388 for private homes, RM488 for small businesses, RM588 for temples and RM688 and RM888 at corporate offices.

He said the hike was to offset the effects of inflation, which had raised the cost of food and refreshments for the troupe. Transport costs have also gone up.

“The expenses are so high that we have had no choice but to make the price adjustments,” he said.

He said if the troupe had 40 members and the rate for a performance was RM888, it would only make about RM200 after deducting the expenses.

Nick Tan, head of a troupe based in Sungai Petani, has another problem. He does not have enough performers.

“This year, everyone wants to have a livelier time and that’s why bookings have surged.”

“That’s good, of course, but the flip side is, we’re facing a shortage of performers and cannot accept too many bookings.”

Tan said the pandemic ban had caused troupe members to leave.

From an optimum 40 performers, Tan said the number has dwindled to 30. He said he has to collaborate with other troupes to meet demand.

The sixth day of the New Year is the peak of the festivities for the dance troupes.

“This is the day with the most bookings.”

Tan said the troupe will have to start at 9am if they are to fulfill all the bookings.

Unlike the Wen Wei lion troupe in Malacca, he has not raised his prices.

“We don’t want to scare away our customers,” Tan said.

Tan said they will instead cut their expenses.

“There won’t be any colourful cannon and gifts for the business premises.”

Despite the general optimism of a better year, Persatuan Seni & Kebudayaan Zhong Tang Miao San Yi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor president Chong Kok Leong said there have not been as many bookings this year compared to pre-pandemic years.

He said that’s because customers are still afraid of Covid-19 infection.

Chong said the troupe was also expecting last-minute bookings.

The KL and Selangor troupe has raised its rates by up to 30% “to meet its huge expenses”.

Chong said costs have gone up because of the need for disinfectants, rapid test kits and vitamins for the troupe members.

He said members of the troupe test for the virus once a day.

The number of performers has been by half – from 30 to 15.

Chong said the pandemic is to be blamed.

“Some parents are not allowing their children to (learn to perform) because of virus fears. Long lockdowns spent at home had made many lose interest in the activity.”

“We can’t wait to see the older members of the group return to the troupe to help with the performance.”

In January 2021, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The ban on shows and gatherings forced up to nearly 30% of the nation’s lion dance troupes to disband for good. – January 10, 2023.