Jian Hua (Lion dance coach): When I first started learning lion dance, I’ve already heard of Master Ha’s name. No one always wins. It’s not all smooth sailing. I wouldn’t be able to be a champion when I first appeared on stage. I experienced many failures.

Ha King Man (Lion dance inheritor): I tried out different positions in different competitions. Once I was in charge of the gong, and the gong broke, it even fell on the floor. Our ancestors originated from Gao Ming in Foshan (Guangdong). They moved to Hong Kong in the 1950s and 1960s. When it came to my father’s generation, which was in the early 90s, we first visited our hometown to pay tribute to our ancestors. It was lively when we visited our hometown. The venue was buzzing with a few thousand people. Even if they didn’t manage to get a ticket, they would climb up the railing. So that they could stand higher to watch our performance from above. It was just spectacular! We do lion dance, no matter rain or shine. We won’t be able to visit our relatives in Chinese New Year. I have never experienced it when I grew up. Having a family reunion dinner during major dates of Chinese New Year is not possible. Once I went to the cinema with my wife. As soon as we sat down, I fell asleep. When I was told to leave the venue, I realized that the movie was already over.

Tiffany AuYeung (wife/ brand manager of Ha’s Lion dance team): When Mr. Ha was dating me, whenever he called, he was always doing lion dance. Even when I got a call from him, he was on the way to do lion dance.

Ha King Man: When it comes to promoting this traditional cultural heritage, she (my wife) has been an immense help to me. It is because we know nothing besides martial arts.We are in a small circle of friends. She can help broaden my horizons. As for our development in Mainland China, she has been a great driving force behind me all these years. Ever since my father was a child, he always has strong feelings for our hometown. All these years, he has been encouraging us to go back to our hometown for more development. Pressure? Of course, there is pressure. How could there not be? The one who started it was my great-grandfather Ha Hon Hung. The most famous one was him. In a place like my hometown Gao Ming, he was the biggest name. My father was reputable too, and now it’s up to me. My wife often reminds me of a common saying, “Wealth doesn’t last for more than three generations, and you’re the fourth generation! That’s a daunting challenge”.

Tiffany AuYeung: He owns a legacy of three to four generations. That means he has a good hand of cards. It’s the matter of playing it well and sustaining it.

Ha King Man: Around 2011, we started returning to Mainland China for development. When we first started, even my father was against it, saying that “how can you compete with the counterparts in the mainland?” You have no connections at all. It’s a start from zero. When we first returned to the mainland, it wasn’t easy. We went to every shopping mall to introduce ourselves, “Hey, there is a lion dance team returning from Hong Kong.” At the first year we came back, we only had a few shows throughout the entire year. Then things started picking up gradually. The Shanghai Tourism Development Bureau collaborated with us many times. We also engaged in some large-scale parades. It took around five years for things to get more stabilized. We also received support from local government. Without the government, it would be very difficult to bring lion dance into schools, to teach kids, and let them learn more about different cultures. A lot of kids nowadays are more vulnerable to pressure because their parents and family members wouldn’t dare to criticize or blame them. When they are not able to cope with pressure, they may be more prone to a breakdown. As a martial arts master, you are not just telling them not to do this or that. You have to let them know why. Other people won’t call you out. The audience may not say you didn’t do well. I will show you the video clip, you see for yourself, if you have lived up to your own expectations.

Jian Hua: I’ve learnt from him the pursuit of passion, that has already reached what people call a ‘selfless state’. I want to become like Master Ha someday. I want to make lion dance my family profession, and carry this traditional culture forward.

Ha King Man: It’s here, it’s here! Don’t be scared! I have to shoulder this responsibility. I need to focus on teaching, so that more people learn about lion dance. So that I will not let down my grandfather and father who left this precious legacy to me.