CAET Journal
Volume 5, Issue 2, Pages 85-95
The “Mat Lion Dance” is one of the unique events of the “XiangHua” (which means fragrant flowers in Chinese) Buddhism ritual in Meizhou Hakka, Guangdong, China. From the perspective of aesthetics, the current study will analyze and discuss its cultural background and history as well as its artistic expression and intrinsic value. The article will emphasize three aspects: the relationship between the Hakka and Buddhist cultures; the implications of the performance and process of the Mat Lion Dance; and the function of praying, uniting the clan, and blessing of the Mat Lion Dance. The aim of the article is to deepen public understanding of the Mat Lion Dance, a precious intangible cultural heritage, and enable it to be better protected and inherited.
“席狮舞”为广东梅州客家“香花”佛事中独有的项目之一，根据现有资料，“席狮舞”在50年代初之前一直在民间发展传承，作为一项客家佛教仪式流传于民间，并于2008年被列入第二批国家级非物质文化遗产保护名录。由于梅州特殊的地理人文环境，以及当地客家人民文化与佛教文化的互相交融，形成了独特的“香花”佛仪，而“席狮舞”作为“香花”佛事中的一部分，同样具有它独特且不可替代的作用。本文正是通过了解分析“席狮舞”的舞蹈形态与过程，进而探究“香花”佛事中“席狮舞”的动作与过程所代表的意境与内在涵义，以使得“席狮舞”这一宝贵文化获得认知，让这一非物质文化遗产得到有效的保护与传承
Kejia people, Meizhou, Buddhist ceremony, Mat Lion Dance.
梅州客家, 佛仪, 席狮舞.
Received 30 December 2019
Accepted 30 December 2019
This is an open access article.
