GUA MUSANG - Recognising the importance of preserving their ancestral heritage, teenagers Loo Yu Jie, 16, and Chong Jia Eng, 14, have joined forces to promote the Chinese fan dance, particularly among the younger generation in Gua Musang.
Loo said she developed an interest in the traditional dance while in primary school and has since spent her free time learning new techniques and refining each movement to ensure her performances are polished and precise.
"I also picked up the dance movements from social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Chong and I even have a team manager who guides us to ensure our techniques are correct and we stay disciplined.
"Our training sessions are usually held at the temple grounds here, and the frequency depends on upcoming performances. We usually perform at community events and Chinese New Year celebrations,” she said when met by reporters at Kampung Baru here recently.
Chong, meanwhile, said she has come to realise that the fan dance is more than mere entertainment as it also carries deep cultural meaning.
"This dance symbolises harmony, joy and prayers for our well-being, and it is often performed during festive seasons,” she said.
Team manager Liew Koon Yan said the fan dance reflects the joy of welcoming the new year.
"Chinese New Year marks the transition from winter to spring, and the movement of the fan itself symbolises this seasonal change. Through the dance, we express the joy and happiness of welcoming spring,” he said.
Liew, who has been actively involved in the traditional dance since 1998, said a fan dance troupe comprises between four and 10 dancers.
"Young people need to learn traditional dances like this to continue the legacy and keep alive the diverse cultural heritage of our multiethnic nation,” he added. - BERNAMA