China trains Nigerian teachers on Lion Dance

Five Nigerian teachers have just returned from a trip to China were they were trained in the art of the Chinese Lion Dance. The five teachers, drawn from various secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory spent a period of one month in China learning the ancient Chinese dance, in which performers mimic a lion’s […]

Five Nigerian teachers have just returned from a trip to China were they were trained in the art of the Chinese Lion Dance.
The five teachers, drawn from various secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory spent a period of one month in China learning the ancient Chinese dance, in which performers mimic a lion’s movements and which is usually performed during important cultural and religious festivals as well as other important events.
Speaking during a reception to welcome the teachers at the Chinese cultural Centre in Abuja, the Cultural Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Yan Xiangdong commended them for enduring the rigorous training and applying themselves with dedication to learn the dance, the disciplines of which he hopes they will inculcate in their students.
Speaking on the significance of the training, Mr Xiadong said, “One of the objectives of the programme is to share brotherhood with Nigeria and to hope that you can learn from us how we managed to achieve what we have achieved all along.”
Speaking on their experiences in China, Adamu Hashimu, one of the teachers said, despite homesickness, they committed themselves to learn the dance because of its cultural significance.
“The dance is very useful for disciplines, which is something we can use a lot of in Nigeria. It will be very useful for the military, for their balance and stamina.” He added that the dance also promotes friendship and integration, adding that he looks forward to introducing his students to the discipline.
The teachers presented a video documentary of their sojourn in China and presented a photo album to the cultural attaché as a gesture of their appreciation.