“I remember having this identity crisis growing up in junior high,” says Matthew Ngo. “I’m too Asian to be Canadian, but too Canadian, whitewashed in a way, to be Asian. And Jing Wo was one place where it’s that fine balance where there’s kids my age that spoke the language, and had the same sort of interest in pop culture. But, also, we’ve all shared this love and passion for lion dance.”
It’s a very common story for ethnic minorities in Canada to experience what Matthew Ngo experienced. Feeling that push and pull of being ethnically part of one culture but raised in another. This state of being in between can make it hard for young Canadians to find community and their sense of self.
Ngo is president of the Jing Wo Cultural Association, and has now been a member for over 15 years. Born in Canada, Ngo shares a similar experience with many Asian Canadians in wanting to find identity through exploring one’s heritage. His earliest memory of the lion dance was a street performance in Calgary’s Chinatown when he was three years old. That initial captivation led to a community that not only preserves culture, but also provides community and identity for Chinese Canadians throughout the city.
The Jing Wo Cultural Association had its beginnings in the ’80s and was originally called The Jing Wo Martial Arts Athletics Association. There were five founding members and each member practiced a different form of martial arts. Ngo says that foundation still rings true for the association today.
Victoria Khuu in costume. PHOTOS: DAVID KIM
“And I think the core thing that’s never changed from the beginning is just that sense of respect. Understanding that you and I can both coexist together without having to compete and having to be, ‘Who’s better?’ I do martial arts and I do it for the love of it, and you also do it just come together and train. And I feel like that’s always been the thing. A constant that’s always been here, just the respect for other individuals and that respect for yourself.”
The association has since transitioned away from their martial arts based origins to focus on preserving and celebrating Chinese culture as a whole in Calgary, which is why they changed their name to be a cultural association. Lion dancing has a base of using martial arts stances in the dance so it was a natural evolution for the association to other aspects of Chinese culture.
This change is largely brought about by the values of leadership in the association. Brandon Mah, the chief instructor and vice president of Jing Wo, stated: “In the past couple of years we’ve been called out to many schools during Asian Heritage Month to perform. And one of the biggest things is not only do they want us to perform, but they want us to talk about lion dance, because again, the most important education is on why we dance and where it comes from.”
Evolution of the lion
Mah and Ngo talked about how there are many different stories of how lion dancing started but certain themes and stories stay consistent. The Gift is one story about how lions were introduced to China. Originally sent along the Silk Road as a gift from regions around ancient Persia or India, lions were sent to the emperor as a way to gain favour in trade and relations.
Common citizens were now allowed to view the creatures due to their rarity and were only given descriptions of their appearances.
Brandon Mah in costume showing different stances. PHOTOS: DAVID KIM
Mah explains the situation by saying, “You can’t make a costume when you don’t know what a lion looks like. So it’s kind of like the game telephone.”
Embellishments from existing mythology were used to fill in the gaps. Features associated with strength were added from other mythological or significant creatures such as the dragon, turtle and phoenix. This is what made the lions look the way they did at the time when they were depicted as costumes or statues.
Jing Wo’s version of the Southern lion dance style is much more modernized from its original conception.
“It was people just demonstrating their strength and their power of martial arts, but disguised under the costume of a lion.” Ngo said, describing the original purpose of lion dance.
Mah and Ngo talked about how each group adds dance moves to their routines and each city’s lion dancers have unique moves and styles.
“I feel like that’s always been the thing, like a constant that’s always been here, just the respect for other individuals and that respect for yourself.”
Matthew Ngo
Jing Wo’s additions to the lion dance involve moves that are more animalistic. Their lions bite each other’s ears, and even clean themselves before the start of their routine. Although the moves can be creative, these additions have to be derivative of the originals.
“Every city will have their own kind of style, but you’ll always see these traditions within that are always the same.” Mah said.
Jing Wo Cultural Association has free classes that are offered every Tuesday night to anyone wanting to learn how to lion dance themselves. Becoming part of their team would open the opportunity to be involved in the many events they do in the city. Their lion dancers are often hired to dance at weddings, business openings and other cultural events.
The association as a whole has modernized along with their dancing style. Ngo emphasizes how everyone is welcome at Jing Wo regardless of age, background or gender identity.
“I feel like that’s always been the thing, like a constant that’s always been here, just the respect for other individuals and that respect for yourself.”
Bringing cultures and different generations together
Mah commented on how he’s half Chinese and half Ukrainian as well as being third generation has made it hard for tradition to be passed down in his family. Jing Wo has become a place to learn about and celebrate the Chinese half of his heritage.
“This organization’s just been this place for me to learn and grow as an individual. And now I’m able to take those traditions and culture and pass it onto the next generation.“ Mah said.
Jing Wo’s ability to grow and adopt new things from Canadian culture, while also preserving their core values and traditions, makes them an ideal environment for young Canadians to find that balance. Discovering that existing “in between” is a unique experience in itself and they do not have to choose. Imagery of the lions in the Saddledome comes to mind.
Canadian culture is becoming more open and accepting of things that are Asian with the popularization of Asian media, food and culture.
Seventeen year old Victoria Khuu is one of Jing Wo’s younger dancers. She talked about how her experience was similar to Mah and Ngo’s but also had key differences to the previous generation.
Khuu first saw the lion dancers when she was eight years old with her family on Chinese New Years. Her family signed her up shortly after this. Jing Wo not only became a community for Khuu but also educated her about the culture she experienced at home.
“Although we did celebrate Chinese New Year, we just didn’t know any of the background and traditions that go with it.”
Tuesday practice at Jing Wo Cultural Association where the dancers are practicing the scroll throwing move. PHOTOS: DAVID KIM
The same prejudice experienced by Ngo and Mah’s generation seemed less prevalent to Khuu. When talking about her middle school and junior high experience, she said that there was a culture of acceptance even among kids from different backgrounds.
Even though the environment that Khuu grew up in was somewhat different, the experience of feeling in between cultures still remained. She felt Jing Wo brought her together with a community that understood her experience and that having people that understand you to that level was really important to her.
“I find that it kind of gives you a middle ground,” said Khuu. You don’t have to pick between one or the other, like being really traditional or being in Western culture. You’re able to mix the two and make that medium ground which I think is really cool.”
Jing Wo Cultural Association has been a unique place since its original five members founded it. The core value of respect for one another resonating into the present day. Talking to multiple generations it’s evident that the association grows and adapts with each generation. Bringing people together that understand and accept each other through shared experience and openness.
Ngo and Mah stated that they are currently trying to expand into even more of their cultural heritage by looking into adding a dragon dance program to the association. The dancers are currently training hard for 2024 – the year of the dragon.