"Breathing life" into traditional lion dance heads.

Việt Nam•25/09/2023

While modern toys are increasingly available on the market, traditional lion dance heads remain a favorite, sought after by many during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Somewhere, one can still find artisans meticulously sewing each stitch and adding brushstrokes to breathe life into these lion dance heads.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tang, from An Le commune (Quynh Phu district), crafts traditional lion dance heads.

For the past few days, the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere has permeated the streets and villages, and the small shop of Mr. Nguyen Van Tang's family in Dong Bang town, An Le commune (Quynh Phu district) has been bustling with customers. Just a few traditional lion dance heads displayed in front of his house are enough to make anyone passing by stop to admire and take pictures.

Despite living in Thai Giang commune (Thai Thuy district), Mr. Tran Quang The still traveled to An Le commune early in the morning to order lion dance heads from Mr. Tang.

“The traditional Mid-Autumn Festival wouldn't be complete without a lion dance performance for the children. A few years ago, I was introduced to this place by others and came to buy some. Because they are handmade, Mr. Tang's lion heads are not only durable and beautiful, preserving the traditional national style, but also more affordable than elsewhere. This year, we wanted another pair of lions to entertain the community and the children, so we came back to his house to buy some to show our support,” Mr. The shared.

With over 20 years dedicated to this craft, Mr. Tang is considered one of the few "artisans" still maintaining the traditional lion head making profession in the province. After retiring from his local job, he had more time to learn about lion head making through television, books, and newspapers, and purchased materials to create them for cultural programs and festivals in the village. Recalling the image of a lion head wrapped in newspaper that his father used to make, Mr. Tang combined that experience to create his own unique product. From then on, lion heads bearing Mr. Tang's brand were born and have been well-received and highly appreciated by the people.

Customers come to buy lion dance heads from Mr. Nguyen Van Tang.

According to Mr. Tang, to make a traditional lion head, the first step is to find suitable bamboo for the frame, ensuring it is free from termites to guarantee durability. Building the frame is the most difficult step, requiring the craftsman's understanding of form and shape; if the frame is not symmetrical, the lion head will be crooked and lack aesthetic appeal. To satisfy demanding customers, the lion head must be lightweight, allow for flexible movement, and have ample space inside, giving the lion dancer a comfortable feeling. Importantly, all of Mr. Tang's lion heads are completely covered in fabric, each layer precisely adjusted and hand-stitched to prevent shifting and ensure durability over time.

Revealing the secret to "breathing life" into the lion heads, Mr. Tang shared: "The eyes are what create the majestic appearance of the lion. To make the eyes to my liking, I had to try many materials, but foam was still the most suitable. The eyes are covered with a layer of nylon, painted, and then hand-painted. The eyelids are made separately, and the blinking mechanism is flexible. The decorative motifs on the lion head are also skillfully stylized by Mr. Tang from the Dong Son bronze drum patterns, bringing a sense of familiarity."

Traditional toys are meticulously crafted and imbued with cultural value, yet they still face intense market competition. Skilled artisans are becoming scarce, and traditional crafts are gradually fading away.

Previously, the family of Ms. Hoang Thi Bich in Tam Quang commune (Vu Thu district) was also considered a well-known traditional lion dance head production facility. However, due to competition from new, modern products, her family could not maintain production.

"Previously, my family used recycled paper to make traditional lion dance heads. Now, the demand for lion dance heads from customers and children is much higher than before. The lion dance heads must be eye-catching, have lights, and even cheerful sounds. No one buys the traditional lion dance heads we make," said Mrs. Bich.

Traditional lion head products from the family of Ms. Hoang Thi Bich, Tam Quang commune ( Thai Binh city).

Lion heads, star-shaped lanterns... are not just simple toys for entertainment, but also carry the richness of Vietnamese culture. They are also the artistic treasures passed down through generations by our ancestors. Hopefully, these traditional toys will continue to be preserved and brought closer to young people, contributing to the preservation of the beauty of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival of our nation.

Trinh Cuong - Nguyen Trieu

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