Hakka unicorn dance gaining popularity in S'pore

Troupe aims to preserve and promote the art form, which has a history of more than 450 years

- Chin Soo Fang

Even as lion and dragon dances still dominate festive celebrations, a rarer traditional Chinese folk performance is quietly gaining traction here.

Mr Eugene Wan, 44, who helms the Yan Wong Cultural Troupe the only professional troupe for the Hakka Qilin, or Chinese unicorn, dance in Singapore is determined to preserve and promote the art form.

The Hakka Qilin dance, with a history of more than 450 years, embodies the spirit of the Hakka community, who developed the dance to preserve their tradition and express their cultural heritage.

The qilin, a mythical creature in Chinese folklore, takes centre stage in this spirited and agile dance, symbolising prosperity, good fortune and protection.

Unlike the Western unicorn, the Chinese qilin is often depicted as a hybrid creature with features of different animals, such as a dragon's head and a deer's body.

"I like being unique," said Mr Wan, who is Cantonese but finds the qilin dance "mesmerising".

"There were unicorn dances here in Singapore in the past, but many went extinct over time. I want to revive this." The unicorn dance is more difficult than the lion dance, he said.

Dancers have to perform intricate footwork, spins and formations to mimic the majestic creature.