A Young Lion Dance Inheritor on Douyin Dishes Out the “Secret Recipe” for Making Intangible Cultural Heritage Lion Heads
By Li Li, Yangcheng Evening News
As the Spring Festival approaches, Li Zujie finds himself in the midst of the busiest time of the year. The 29-year-old is not only preparing for lion dance activities and orders for lion heads from home and abroad but also making time to connect with netizens on Douyin, the popular short video platform. For Li Zujie, the goal is clear – to keep the tradition of lion awakening alive for future generations.
Hailing from Suixi County, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, which is known as the “hometown of lion dances in China,” Li Zujie comes from a family of intangible cultural heritage inheritors. His parents are both dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich tradition of Suixi Lion Dance. Taking to Douyin, Li Zujie has taken it upon himself to share the secrets of making Suixi lion head ribbons through engaging short videos.
“I’m not afraid of being imitated. On the contrary, the more people who want to learn, the better,” Li Zujie said in an interview with the Yangcheng Evening News, expressing his hope for more young people to fall in love with traditional Chinese culture.
Suixi lion awakening, which has its roots in the Tang and Song Dynasties and thrived during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, is recognized as a southern lion and was selected into the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. Li Zujie’s father, Li Rongzai, is the representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage Southern Lion Dance.
Having grown up learning lion dance skills alongside other children in his village, Li Zujie has always felt a deep connection to the tradition. However, it wasn’t lion dancing that made him famous overnight. It was his innovative “light lions” that shone bright at the 2020 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, a feat that brought Suixi Lion Dance into the spotlight.
Moreover, Li Zujie has been instrumental in expanding the reach of Suixi Lion Dance to international audiences, with customers from over 20 countries and regions placing orders for their intricately crafted lion heads. His commitment to not only innovating the lion awakening industry but also promoting the art form as a comprehensive art speaks volumes about his dedication to preserving and disseminating traditional Chinese culture.
Through his engaging and informative short videos on Douyin, Li Zujie has garnered a growing fan base, especially among young people. Welcoming the interest of aspiring lion dance enthusiasts, he has taken on several disciples and is committed to teaching the skills of lion dance and lion head weaving without reservation.
“The lion dance industry is no longer just for supporting the family as it used to be. People of our generation think more about how to spread Chinese traditional culture more widely,” Li Zujie said. “I’m not afraid of people learning, I’m just afraid that there are not enough people learning.”
Through his unwavering dedication and commitment, Li Zujie is bringing the lion awakening culture into the modern era, ensuring that the rich tradition continues to shine brightly for generations to come.