The Gund Kwok Lion and Dragon Dance troupe, based in Boston, is the first and only all-female Lion and Dragon Troupe in the United States in a performance art that has excluded women in the past based on the outdated superstition that Lion Dancing performed by women will bring bad luck.
Culturally, Lion and Dragon Dancing is highly esteemed. The Lion Dance is often performed at Lunar New Year festivities, weddings, ribbon-cuttings, etc. The guardian Lion wards off evil and helps start anew by bringing in good luck. The Dragon Dance, on the other hand, is a tribute to Dragon’s importance in Chinese culture. The Dragon is the embodiment of all the ideal qualities such as strength, luck, and success. By animating the Dragon, martial artists not only pay tribute but also bring in good luck for the New Year. Although the dances differ slightly in meaning and purpose, both activities require strength, creativity, and discipline to master the traditional martial arts form. Not only were women excluded based on superstition but they were also excluded on traditional sexist values.
Cheng Imm Tan founded the Gund Kwok Lion and Dragon Dance troupe in 1998. Gund Kwok meaning “Heroine”, the troupe was founded about an old Chinese saying: “A Heroine will not admit defeat to a Hero”. Inspired by a performance by an all-men’s Lion Dance troupe, she believed that Asian women could do just the same. Tan wanted to give women the chance to break stereotyped roles and challenge women emotionally, physically and mentally through a Martial Arts form that was once reserved only for men. Transcending the meek, fragile Asian female stereotype was a long journey. In the beginnings, Tan had to convince women that they could compete with the physical strengths of men.
Tan strongly advocated that women had an inner strength that they need to believe in. And also, women needed stand strong in spite of society’s judgments and perceptions. Despite the tough beginnings, the Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe has just marked its 12th year. With over 16 members now, the Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe continues its ideals of empowerment and betterment for Asian American women.
Tan strongly advocated that women had an inner strength that they need to believe in. And also, women needed stand strong in spite of society’s judgments and perceptions. Despite the tough beginnings, the Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe has just marked its 12th year. With over 16 members now, the Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe continues its ideals of empowerment and betterment for Asian American women.The Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe’s dedication to Asian culture while breaking down barriers in the Asian American community is much needed. Instead of rejecting the Asian American community for it sexist superstitions, these heroines are changing the beliefs of communities for the better.
No comments:
Post a Comment