GOAT DANCE

Oh my goat-ness: Lee showing his latest creation – the Golden Goat.

Troupe goes a different path with the goat dance

KOTA KINABALU: The Chinese New Year celebration will always be associated with the lion dance ceremony.

But, a dance troupe here went on a different path by creating a “goat” dance costume.

“Since this year is the Year of the Goat, we wanted to create a golden goat and use it as our main character for our dances,” said Master Lee Chee Fat, who is the leader of the SJK (C) Yick Nam Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance troupe.

The troupe was established about 30 years ago.

He said such creativity was needed to ensure that the lion and dragon dance performances stayed relevant to the times.

Lee, 53, and his son have made two goat costumes and the costumes would be used along with the troupe’s existing lion costumes for all performances it takes part this year.

“We’ve spent thousands of ringgit to make these two goat costumes. We took about eight hours to make each goat head,” he added.

He said apart from the goat, they had also created the rabbit, dragon, snake, fish, horse as well as golden ox costumes.

“Our customers and tourists loved what we have showed them. That is why we continue to be unique in our performances,” he said.

Lee said the troupe had received up to 80 bookings for this year’s Chinese New Year celebration.

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