KUCHING — The spirit of unity, dedication, and cultural pride was on full display as the Chinese Martial Art Association (CMAA) hosted its Chinese New Year 2026 Dragon and Lion Dance Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday evening.
Held at Rice Master, the gathering brought together members, coaches, performers, sponsors, and supporters to celebrate another successful year for the association’s Dragon and Lion Dance teams.
The event, which began at 7pm, served as a platform to recognise the dedication and hard work of the many individuals who contributed to the success of CMAA’s activities throughout the Chinese New Year season. Committee members, parents, and volunteers were also acknowledged for their continued support behind the scenes.
CMAA president Chester Lim led the programme, expressing gratitude to everyone who helped strengthen the association’s efforts in promoting dragon and lion dance as both a cultural heritage and a competitive sport.
Under his remarks, he highlighted the discipline, teamwork, and countless hours of training required to deliver each performance. He also added, “With support from various groups, including the Sarawak government, we are proud to see diverse participation from Chinese, Dayaks, Malays, and Melanaus across Sarawak, especially in rural towns like Mukah and Dalat. This commitment has put Sarawak on the international stage through events such as the Sarawak Open International Dragon & Lion Dance Cup and exchange programmes with countries like Indonesia.”
Among the notable guests present were CMAA advisor Pemanca Tan Kun Gee, as well as several founders and advisors who have played key roles in guiding the association over the years.
Founded in 1974, CMAA has become one of the key organisations in Sarawak dedicated to preserving Chinese martial arts and dragon and lion dance traditions. Over the decades, the association has also expanded its programmes to include wushu training and youth development initiatives.
In the past year, the association recorded several notable achievements. The CMAA Northern Lion Dance Team represented Malaysia at the prestigious Sanya Cup International Dragon and Lion Dance Elite Competition in Hainan, China, where they secured a bronze award and delivered a commendable performance against international teams.
The association also performed strongly in domestic competitions. During the Hong San Si Temple Deity Birthday Parade in 2025, the CMAA team secured the runner-up position in the Dragon Dance category, demonstrating impressive coordination and artistic skill among participating teams.
Additionally, CMAA played a major role in organising the Sarawak Open International Dragon and Lion Dance Cup, an event that attracts teams from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries. The competition has grown into one of the region’s most prominent cultural showcases and helps promote Sarawak as a centre for dragon and lion dance excellence.
Earlier this year, the association also unveiled 11 new lion costumes during a traditional eye-dotting ceremony at Tua Pek Kong Temple, symbolising the start of a busy Chinese New Year performance season for its teams.
Throughout the festive period, CMAA performers visited homes, businesses, and community events across Kuching, delivering vibrant lion and dragon dance performances believed to bring prosperity, good fortune, and positive energy.
The appreciation dinner concluded with members reaffirming the association’s core spirit of unity and teamwork.
For CMAA, the message of the evening was clear — the success of the dragon and lion dance teams is not only about trophies and performances, but about preserving tradition, nurturing young talent, and strengthening community bonds for generations to come.
