Maoshi dance lands on its feet in Hezhai village

The three Mengs teach the children various aspects of the unique dance, such as its basic techniques and actions, as well as what costumes to wear and the musical instruments involved in each performance.

The healthy and hearty 69-year-old Meng Chengshun teaches the children movements akin to practicing martial arts, while Meng Kaisheng takes care of preparing the delicate and exquisite head gear for the young troupe.

Delicate and exquisite head gear for Maoshi dance are made by Meng Kaisheng, who is 63 years old. [Photo by Qin Shiyong, Tang Qiongfang/Hechi Daily]

In Hezhai village since 2013, Maoshi dance has been performed by the young and old troupe at Spring Festival, Shangsi Festival (on the third day of the third lunar month) as well as other festive occasions.

To the hypnotic rhythm of drums and gongs, dancers prowl forwards, leap high, contort and gyrate to the music to the ecstatic reception of the audience.

"Compared with the Lion dance, Maoshi is more compact, cuter, and more agile – almost cheeky in nature," said one audience member.

Maoshi dance is commonly performed by just one person, instead of two playing for the Lion dance -- one waving the lion head and the other waving the lion body and tail; or one performer acts as a cub while another person holds a silk ball to play with the lion.

Maoshi dancers perform in time with the beat of drums and gongs. [Photo by Qin Shiyong, Tang Qiongfang/Hechi Daily]

Meng Guangxin says that connecting kids with their culture is a thoroughly rewarding task for him to undertake.

"There are 35 kids in our class, most of them left-behind children. The eldest is 13 and the youngest only eight," said Meng Guangxin. "We will invite several acrobats to join our troupe in the near future, enriching our performances."