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The Lion Dance at San Diego State University: Celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year

Hello to China,

It's been an interesting new year celebration for me. This is a quick post to share one of my experiences.  Thank you to the Confucius Institute at SDSU https://confucius.sdsu.edu/news_18.html
for food, beverages, and literature to start my inquiry into the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

So far, I 've been researching the fascinating Chinese Lunar New Year for only a couple of weeks 
https://asianinspirations.com.au/asian-culture/the-history-behind-chinese-lunar-new-year/

My knowledge journey started with a procession along one of our San Diego State University's campus streets. We are a very diverse campus that appreciates and embraces its complex local, national, and global spectrum of students, staff, and faculty. https://newscenter.sdsu.edu/lead/diversity_rankings.aspx

As sounds of celebration got closer and closer, I recognized the drumming style; then, I saw the lions.

                          Following one of the Lions at SDSU

Instantly energizing, two lions paraded down the street walking and dancing to the drums. I was talking to professor P. Johnson and Dr. Anta Merritt, two of our Africana Studies professors. The lively, precise, thundering of the drum patterns drew a crowd onto the street. The performers, who had been on the other side of campus, came to a  stop at the ground floor level of the Arts and Letters
Building. I stopped talking and followed.
 
The lions' rhythmic movements filled the "open stage area." This traditional celebratory dance is exciting!





Happy New Year!
Delores Fisher



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