Rising Stars in Hong Kong's Lion Dance Arena: Profiles of the Energetic Female Participants
On a typical weekday night, beneath the edgy underbelly of a bypass in Hong Kong's Tai Kok Tsui neighborhood, two gleaming lions - one bedecked in green and the other in lavender - prance and jump on a metal platform, their resplendent manes swishing with each leap.
These energetic displays are courtesy of four spirited ladies - a rarity in the male-dominated lion dance scene of the city - who have dedicated over half their lives to the venerable art form.
They go by the name of Kwok's Girls, the female contingent of the Kwok's Kung Fu and Dragon Lion Dance Team, which traces its roots back to 1969. Sandwiched between their day jobs' mundane confines, they practice at least once a week.
In recent years, they've racked up a substantial online presence. One of their videos boasted an impressive 2 million views on their Instagram page, which flaunts over 30,000 followers.
Their videos have cast a spotlight on the blood, sweat, and tears that go into perfecting this distinctive and challenging art form. In one clip, one of the girls hoists another aloft and completes three breathtaking spins, while another captures two synchronized performers leaping from one towering pole to another.
Historically, women were often barred from lion dancing due to cultural and religious beliefs that deemed them "unclean" and unfit to handle sacred items like the lion costumes. But the Kwok's Girls have defied these norms, injecting new vigor and publicity into this ancient tradition[1][3][4].
Kwok's Girls, the female performers of Kwok's Kung Fu and Dragon Lion Dance Team, have gained significant online presence, with one of their videos amassing 2 million views and flaunting over 30,000 followers. Their videos showcase the rigorous training behind lion dancing, featuring impressive maneuvers such as a girl hoisting another aloft for three spins and synchronized performers leaping between towering poles. Despite historical barriers for women in lion dancing, Kwok's Girls have broken these norms, infusing the ancient tradition with new energy and popularity.
