In Western Australia most people would have watched or fascinated with the lion dance. In Perth there are several lion dance troupes, including those organised by the Chinese Community Centre, Chinese Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy, Chow Kwoon Yarn Yee Tong, Chung Wah Association, Jimmy Tsui’s Kung Fu School, Pak Mei Yaolin Kung Fu Association, Shunde Lion Dance, Western Australia Chin Woo Athletic Association, WA Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu, Lohan Qi Gung and Lion Dance Association, and so on. These dances are performed during auspicious occasions, such as Chinese New Year, Company or Association celebrations, inauguration of a new premise, anniversaries, etc.
Few people are aware that there is another equally fascinating performance known as the “Unicorn Dance”. This mythical creature is known in East Asian countries as “Qilin” 麒麟 (Chinese), きりん in Japanese, 기린 “Girin” in Korean, and kỳ lân in Vietnamese. From a cultural perspective, the Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn are three animals in Chinese mythology. The Qilin is an animal with certain whimsical, supernatural, mythical, mystical, and religious attributes. It is invariably associated with good omens, benevolent; auspicious or significant events, such as the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler. It is blessed with good omen, prosperity or serenity. It has been told in legends that the birth of the great sage Confucius was foretold by the arrival of a Qilin.
The Chinese unicorn is thought to have dragon-like features. The head is unique, with eyes with thick eyelashes, manes that always flow upward and prominent beards. The bodies are fully or partially scaled, though often shaped like an ox, deer or horse’s, and always with cloven hooves. It is endowed with antlers.
The Qilin are often depicted in art with parts of their bodies on fire. Sometimes they have feathery features or decorations, fluffy curly tufts of hair, or even with decorative fish-like fins as embellishments, even dragon scales.
According to Taoist folklore, although the Qilin looked fearsome, he only punished the evil and wicked. There are episodes of court trials and judgements based on Qilin divinely knowing whether a defendant was good or evil, and guilty or innocent.
Today many people get to know Chinese unicorn through the Unicorn dance. It is a cultural performance unique to the Hakka community world-wide, pronounced as “kilin” in the Hakka dialect.
As the Hakka (not in any way associated with New Zealand Maoris) community is not well known outside ethnic Chinese circles, this is an opportune time to look at this closely knit group in Western Australia. The Hakkas are one of the three prominent ethnic Chinese groups overseas, together with the Cantonese and Hokkiens. They constitute about 20% of Chinese diaspora worldwide. If we accept that there are about 1 million ethnic Chinese in Australia, there would be about 200,000 Chinese of Hakka heritage. Similarly out of the estimated 100,000 ethnic Chinese in Western Australia, about 20,000 would be Hakkas, coming from various parts of the world.
Most Australians do not realise that the Hakkas (also known as Kheks in Hokkien dialect), is an important dialect group who were migrants from the Central or Northern parts of China to the South. This historical reality is reflected in the close resemblance of the Hakka dialect to northern languages such as Mandarin, rather than local dialects in the South such as Cantonese or Hokkien. Known as nomads of China, their migration to South East Asia and elsewhere was a continuation of earlier southward movement. It is not surprising to find that the “Hakka” is found in pockets of concentration in several places over several locations, rather than concentrated in one place.
As a group they are pragmatic, resourceful and hardworking, who persevere even in an extremely harsh environment. Collectively their legacy would perpetuate as they continue to have significant impact on the course of ethnic Chinese and world history.
It is remarkable to note that currently there are two heads of state of Hakka descent. They are the Prime Minister of Singapore LEE Hsien Loong 李显龙 (李顕龍) and the President of Taiwan MA ying-jeou 马英九 (馬英九). Another Hakka politician of interest is the present Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama 钟万学 (鍾萬學); [Tsung Wan Hok]，affectionally known by his Hakka nickname, Ahok (阿學). He made history when he became the first ethnic Chinese to hold that prestigious post.
The Hakka Association of Western Australia 西澳客家公会 was the brainchild of Dato’ Tet K Yong in 2009 杨德强 (楊德强), a community leader from the state of Sabah (Malaysia). Remarkably Dato’ Yong was also the founder president of the Hakka Association in Lahad Datu, one of the major towns in the state of Sabah, some thirty years ago. He certainly had the passion, the zeal and the energy to galvanise the collective intelligence, imagination and energies of the Hakka people in both Lahad Datu and Perth. Almost three years ago when the Association was on a solid footing, Dato’ Yong did not seek re-election to the presidency, and the subsequent election saw his son, Keith Yong 杨奕驹 (楊奕駒) elected as President. Since then Keith has created his own history, when he became the first Hakka to be elected as a Councillor of the City of Perth, the first Hakka Councillor in WA. Both father and son provide strong and stable leadership. They have a good understanding of the dynamics of running an organisation, and have provided immeasurable secretarial and other resources for the association. Their generosity in allocation of personal resources is critical. Jonas Yong 杨奕骏 (楊奕駿) is the present Secretary-General of the WA Hakka Association.
The Hakka Association of Western Australia Inc. (HakkaWA), despite its recent history, is undoubtedly one of the most visible, active and well run ethnic Chinese associations. It is the major community association representing the Hakkas in WA.
HakkaWA made a significant contribution to the multicultural fabric of Australia when it introduced the Kilin (Unicorn) Dance in March 2014, less than a year ago. Two kilin masters from Sabah, Bernard Fung and T.Y. Hiew provided the initial training from scratch. Today the association is proud of its fully fledged kilin troupe, the first in Australia.
Like the lion dance, the Kilin dance is accompanied by a musical team and two persons are required for the dance; one manoeuvring the Kilin’s head and the other operating the tail. Dance movements are characterized by fast, powerful strokes of the head. The dance is often regarded as a hard dance to perform due to the weight of the head, the stances involved, and the emphasis on sudden bursts or surge of energy, best described by the Chinese word “jing” 劲. Most of the actions occur when both performance coordinate when the kilin leaps into the air. Two instruments are played, the cymbal and the gong.
The troupe made its debut at the Hakka Kungfu demonstration during its 5th Anniversary Celebration on 8th June, 2014. To get a feel of what it is visit HakkaWA 5th Anniversary Celebrations or see HakkaWA’s video on Youtube.
Due to its cultural significance, the kilin dance is listed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The kilin dance needs two performers for each Qilin and it is common for various Qilins to appear together. The kilin dance is performed in various parts of the world whenever the Hakka people have organised it. A good example is the troupe in Birmingham.
Regardless of your sex, anyone above the age of six is welcome to join. You get a feel after watching a performance. You would be able to decide which role to play in the Kilin, including the instruments. The trainer will decide where the student’s main talent lies. However, if you are keen enough, you would get to learn all the instruments and both roles in the Kilin eventually. It’s fun to learn and participate. Free coaching is available. For information regarding the time and venue for training, contact the Secretariat of HakkaWA, by emailing secretary@hakkawa.com or phone 9221 6366. See you there, and have lots of fun.
Article by Y.S. YOW, Hakka Association of WA
