KUCHING – The Sarawak Open International Dragon and Lion Dance Cup 2026 concluded on August 9 with a closing ceremony at the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry Multipurpose Hall, bringing together dragon and lion dance teams from Sarawak, other parts of Malaysia, China and Indonesia.
The championship featured four competitions covering Northern Lion Dance, High Pole Southern Lion Dance, Luminous Dragon Dance and Traditional Southern Lion Dance.
Organisers said the event demonstrated how lion dance in Sarawak has developed significantly over the past decade, moving beyond its traditional association with Chinese cultural heritage.
The closing ceremony highlighted the view that lion dance is increasingly regarded as part of Sarawak’s wider cultural heritage, with participation involving people from different races and religious backgrounds.
According to the remarks delivered at the ceremony, the composition of lion dance teams has changed noticeably compared with 10 years ago.
There has been an increase in participation by Bumi Muslims and non-Muslim Bumi performers. What was once considered unusual has become increasingly common, with Bumi performers now making up a significant proportion of some lion dance teams.
The age and gender profile of participants has also changed. While lion dance was previously more commonly associated with older male performers, the activity now attracts more teenagers and a growing number of female participants.
The development was highlighted as part of Sarawak’s broader nation-building efforts, with cultural activities providing opportunities for people from different communities to participate in shared traditions.
The 2026 championship also showcased performances by teams with different backgrounds and competitive experience.
Organisers said international and local championships could provide longer-term opportunities for the development of athletes, coaches, judges and technical officials.
Such competitions also allow local performers to gain experience alongside teams from outside Sarawak while giving international participants an opportunity to perform before local audiences.
The event was organised by the Chinese Martial Arts Association, or CMAA, under the sanction of the Dragon and Lion Dance Federation of Malaysia.
The four competitions provided different challenges for participating teams and formed the main competitive programme of the 2026 championship.
In the Northern Lion Dance category, Sarawak Chinese Martial Arts Association emerged as champion.
Kota Tinggi Qunyi Dragon and Lion Sports Association from Johor finished as runner-up, while Sabah Sandakan Liang Sheng Sports Association took third place.
China Guizhou Tengxian Lion Dance Troupe won the High Pole Southern Lion Dance category.
Sabah Tenom Yongyi Sports Association finished second, followed by Sarawak Chinese Martial Arts Association in third.
The Luminous Dragon Dance title went to Johor Yahya Awal Hong Xian Da Di Temple Dragon Dance Team.
Sabah Tawau Pa Hua High School Alumni Association Golden Dragon Team was the runner-up, while Miri Tai Po Golden Dragon Troupe secured third place.
The Traditional Southern Lion Dance category was won by Persatuan Tarian Naga Dan Singa Qun Yi Kota Tinggi, Johor – Team A.
Liang Sheng Dragon And Lion Dance Troupe from Sarawak finished second, while Team Sentosa from Indonesia took third place.
The results meant that teams from Sarawak, Johor and Sabah featured prominently among the top positions, while China and Indonesia also recorded podium finishes in the respective categories.
The closing ceremony also recognised the efforts of all participating performers, with congratulations extended to the competitors for their performances, commitment and sportsmanship throughout the championship.
Beyond the competition results, the event was presented as an opportunity to strengthen relationships among performers and participating organisations.
The organisers expressed hope that friendships developed during the championship would continue after the event and contribute to future cooperation.
The event also underlined the role of dragon and lion dance in promoting cultural appreciation and exchange between local and international participants.
The championship provided audiences with the opportunity to watch traditional performances while giving participating teams a platform to demonstrate their skills and preserve established artistic practices.
With the conclusion of the 2026 edition, organisers also emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to preserve and promote dragon and lion dance as a living cultural tradition.
The closing ceremony at Ang Cheng Ho Quarry Multipurpose Hall marked the end of the four-category competition, with champions from Malaysia, China and Indonesia recognised across the various events.
The organisers said the continued participation of younger performers, women and people from different communities reflected the changing character of lion dance in Sarawak.
The championship therefore served not only as a competitive event but also as a platform for cultural participation, skills development and interaction among dragon and lion dance practitioners from the region and beyond.
