Jiangpu hand lion dance is the folk dance in Pukou, Nanjing. The property is in lion shape made by mounting bamboo chips with linen and colorful silk thread, wood (or bamboo) sticks are supported under the lion front chest and lower abdomen as handles for the performer. It is a kind of solo dance by holding the lion in hands.
The generally popular lion dance is for one to dance the lion head and the other to dance the lion body and tail. The two performers act in close coordination. But Pukou hand lion dance is different, the lion is about 1.5m long, weighs about 2.5kg, made by bamboo with linen and silk thread into a shape of lion, which is supported by wood sticks and held by the solo performer in hands; it can be solo dance, or played by many people together, and it’s superior to have more people dance together. Now, Jiangpu lion dance has become a name card of very strong national characteristics in Nanjing City and even Jiangsu Province.
As a kind of dance with property, the hand lion dance has such movements including throwing, amusing, rolling and jumping etc. During the rehearsal process, the performer exercises the body objectively, building the body at a certain level. Secondly, the expressive force of hand lion dance is greatly strong, suitable for performance at various occasions and as a kind of excellent folk activity, undoubtedly it will exert subtle influences in terms of enhancing atmosphere for festival celebration, coordinating human relation, building spiritual bridges, promoting civilization construction and building a harmonious society.
