The Chinese believe that performing the lion dance during festivals can scare away evil spirits and usher in good fortune.

The lion dance is associated with the Chinese community, but in Malaysia, it is now performed by those from other races too.

In fact, it is not strange to see people of various races become professional lion dancers in this city in Sabah’s northeast.

For 19-year-old Maizur Maistan, his interest in lion dance began when he was a child and was often wowed by the acrobatic moves of the performers every time Chinese New Year came around.

His dream of becoming a lion dancer became a reality when he joined the Leong Sin Sports Club four years ago.

Maizur’s determination and agility also convinced his coach to place him in the front position to hold the lion’s head when performing the traditional dance.

“It’s not about the money. I’m doing it because of my deep interest in it. As Malaysians, we have to learn about the cultures and traditions of other races in this country,” he said.

Ihwansyah Azroy, 20, who took up lion dancing when he was 13, said the acrobatic performance of dancers jumping and balancing from one pole to another made him interested to learn the traditional art.

“My coach helped me to improve my skills and master this dance,” said Azroy, who has been performing the lion dance for the past six years.

Leong Sin Sports Club chairman and coach Huang Yuk Leong said the lion dance was not a community sports exclusive to the Chinese anymore, as all races can take part in it.

“The lion dance can now be learnt and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of culture or race, as long as you have the passion,” he said.

Huang, who has won various lion dance competitions at both the state and national levels, said he first started learning the lion dance in 1984 and became a trainer in the early 1990s before establishing his own sports club in 2014.

On negative perceptions of some parties over the involvement of Malays in the traditional Chinese dance, he said lion dances were now not only performed during the Lunar New Year celebrations but also other occasions as a symbol of racial harmony in the country.