In an exciting display of culture and camaraderie, over 50 lively “Southern Lion” dancers competed for the title of “Lion King” in Qiaoshi County, Xinjiang, on October 20. The event marked the opening of the 2024 Kashgar Region’s inaugural Dragon and Lion Competition titled “Dragon Rising, Lions Leaping: Guangdong and Xinjiang United as One.”
Participants from 12 counties and cities in the Kashgar region, along with enthusiasts from the Third Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in Tumxuk City, showcased the traditional Southern Lion culture and their skills, highlighting the vibrant fusion of Guangdong and Xinjiang cultures and the charm of China’s rich heritage.
“This competition includes multiple categories and age groups, featuring events such as youth traditional lion dance freestyle, prescribed routines for youth, and an open category for traditional lion dances,” explained an event organizer. The competition adheres to the rules set by the International Dragon and Lion Sports Federation and the Chinese Dragon and Lion Sports Association.
The opening ceremony featured performances from local officials, community members, and students, showcasing dragon dances, lion waking ceremonies, Wing Chun routines, football fitness drills, and dances from various ethnic groups.
As the drums rolled, a powerful gong resonated alongside the agile sounds of cymbals, creating a “symphony” of lion dance performances. High-difficulty maneuvers such as “picking greens,” shoulder lifts, and supports were executed flawlessly, earning continuous applause from the audience. The lion dance team from Shule County No. 1 Middle School clinched the championship in the youth A category. The lion’s head, Abdullah Yimier, and the lion’s tail, Yusanjiang Kadir, have been training in lion dancing for three years and have represented their school in various competitions.
Abdulqapar Mijiti, Deputy Secretary of the Kashgar Region Sports Bureau, emphasized that this dragon and lion competition not only serves to preserve and promote traditional culture but also acts as a concrete initiative to enhance cultural exchanges between Guangdong and Kashgar and promote ethnic unity.
Lin Xijiang, Deputy Commander of the Guangdong Provincial Command for Aid to Xinjiang, expressed, “The collaboration between Guangdong and Kashgar to host this inaugural dragon and lion competition aims to showcase a flourishing and vibrant picture of life for all ethnic groups, reflecting the deep friendship built across mountains and seas.”
Since the new round of targeted assistance to Xinjiang commenced, Guangdong has been actively supporting Kashgar region’s Shule and Qiaoshi counties, as well as the Tumxuk City of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Notably, Foshan, the birthplace of the Southern Lion dance, has extended its support to Qiaoshi County.
