Malaysian Lion Dancers Pull Off Unique Underwater Dance for Chinese New Year

 

The unique performance happened at Aquaria KLCC, an aquarium located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 30, according to AFP via AsiaOne.

In the clip, the performers can be seen dancing gracefully to the sound of the drums and cymbals played outside the glass as two other divers hold out a tarpaulin behind them.

Fish and sharks swim around the performers as they dance to the rhythm and try to keep their balance.

“One of the most important things for them is their buoyancy control and to still perform the movements underwater without knocking themselves off balance, hitting any of the exhibits or any of the animals,” said Daryl Foong, manager of the aquarium, to AFP.

This apparently isn’t the first time Aquaria KLCC has done something unique like this. According to the report, the aquarium has been running this underwater lion dance for 10 years now.

 

Chinese lion dance is a traditional artform that was developed in the Three Kingdoms Period in the years 220-280, but it didn’t become popular until the rise of Buddhism in the Northern and Southern Dynasties during the years 420-589.

Many Chinese people believe that the lion dance, which is usually performed on land, can bring good luck and can ward off evil spirits.

Images screenshot via YouTube / AFP News Agency