KOTA KINABALU: It started as a hobby and grew into a passion.
Today, Karl Chin Se Khin is the president of the San Shen Gung (Hong Teck) Lion Dance Club, a cultural group that he initiated nine years ago.
“I have always been fascinated with the lion dance,” he said.
“Not only because it’s part of my tradition, but because each movement means something … there is a story to tell.
“Each movement is unique — dangerous yet exciting,” said the 37-year-old at his dragon and lion head storeroom-cum-training ground in Kolombong, Inanam, near here, today.
Chin said his fascination with the dance grew stronger when he joined a troupe over two decades ago.
“After a few years in the team, I decided to form my own lion dance club with the support of committee members at the temple I frequent. The rest is history and now, the club has 30 members, aged between 11 and 25.”
Chin is the proud owner of at least 40 lion heads and five dragon heads, that he bought for between RM2,700 and RM3,000 each.
To perfect their movements, Chin said they had been meeting three or four times weekly to train and the training sessions had been getting more intense lately as Chinese New Year was drawing closer.
The club was the champion in the East Sabah Lion Dance (Sabah and Sarawak) in 2015 and 2017.
Looking forward, Chin said he was opening the doors to non-Chinese to join his lion dance troupe.
“Many non-Chinese have shown interest in the dance. I am planning to take in some after a thorough selection process. Only those who show great interest are welcome.”