Faces…

I have heard a lot about this uniquely intriguing Chinese mask dance and as a matter of fact, there was an Indian guy performing that at a Chinese New Year show along Bukit Bintang, sponsored by one of those foot reflexology shops, when I was in KL early this year…but it was so very hot and crowded that I did not bother to cross over to the other side of the road to watch.

Well, finally I had the opportunity to see it performed live recently – at my uncle & aunt’s Golden Jubilee, their 50th wedding anniversary reception…

It was very lively and exciting…

…and there was even a Monkey God mask…

This one was a black-faced mask – I don’t know whether that was supposed to be “Pao Ching Tien” – the legendary Chinese black-faced judge…

You do not only get to see the masks changing as the performance progresses – there are also some magical tricks where some props may appear out of nowhere, for instance the Monkey God’s stick…or this red fan…

This was the last mask and we could get to see half the face…

…and finally, the identity of the dancer was revealed when the performance ended…

It turned out to be my cousin – my uncle’s youngest son.

Bravo!!! That was a great show indeed…and thoroughly entertaining! More on my uncle & aunt’s anniversary celebration in the posts to come…