Lion Dances- An Article by Mr Russell Suthern, Chief Instructor WCMA

WCMA was very lucky recently to perform three Lion Dances for three very interesting events.

The first was the International Neighbours Festival, a celebration of all the diverse cultures represented in the local community.
We saw everything from Indian food & dancing to African art & music.

Next we travelled to London to perform for a huge Indian wedding. The bride was half Chinese & we were brought in to add a Chinese flavour. The whole event was a breath taking whirl of opulent colour.

Finally we again braved the M25 to perform for an Indian 18th birthday party. Two things struck me.
Firstly, on the journey up to Southall in London I was amazed to see the cultural diversity in the shops & community buildings that lined the roads. An African restaurant, a Polish corner shop, an Indian sports centre. A Catholic church sitting next to an Asian mosque. It was a real feast for the eyes!
Secondly, while we were performing, I was intrigued by the concept that an English & Iranian couple were performing a Chinese Lion Dance for an Indian party!

Anyone who thinks this is something new does not know their history.
Thousands of years ago, European, Chinese & Indian people were mixing, trading & learning from each other & living with each other along the silk road.

We are all immigrants & large movements of people across the globe has been a fact of life since biblical times.

I personally have much to thank immigration for. My Kung Fu instructor was a Chinese immigrant. My wife is an Iranian immigrant. Many of my students are immigrants from all over the world & my classes are richer for it.

Scholars of Chinese life theory will tell you two crucial ingredients for balance are diversity & moderation.

I believe this means there must be cultural diversity for a society to survive & thrive.
Also, we must adopt a liberal, understanding attitude toward the world around us. Extremism will never survive.
The Chinese say anything that goes too far to the extreme, eventually comes back round to the centre. This is the whole basis of Yin Yang theory, that extremes cannot survive, the universe is constantly striving to reach a balance, a moderate stability, a golden mean, if you like.

It is up to all of us to fight for the core principles that make life better for everyone.

TOLERANCE
DEMOCRACY
UNDERSTANDING
DIVERSITY

I remember on one visit to China many years ago & meeting a huge Chinese master who looked like he could snap me in half with one finger. However all he could keep talking about was not fighting, but how Kung Fu was a great way for people from all over the world to come together in friendliness & understanding, sharing a common passion, irrespective of race, religion, creed or colour.

How right he was!

Russell Suthern
Chief Instructor
WCMA.

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