Fire crackers, percussion instruments, and this- the dance of the lion- are the elements characteristic of the Chinese New year. Today the Chinese association came out with its usual New Year fanfare. President of the Belize-Chinese Association of Belize, Edmond Quan explained that it is more than just a show:

Edmond Quan - President of the Chinese Association
"We are celebrating the Chinese New Year. We are doing the Lion Dance parade from shop to shop - different shops that request the Lion Dance. So we are going citywide."

Emanuel Pech
"What is the Lion Dance?"

Edmond Quan - President of the Chinese Association
"Basically it's a blessing for the business. Whichever business that request for it, it's a Chinese superstition as a blessing."

Emanuel Pech
"What is it supposed to do?"

Edmond Quan - President of the Chinese Association
"The firecrackers supposed to chase away the evil spirits and then the lion which is a beast, the beat comes here vicious, they come and eat the lettuce and then it is happy and go away for the rest of the year. The main thing is the continuity of the Chinese culture in Belize and if you notice this year we have local interaction too. Actually we have local Belizean dancers performing the dance for us."

Emanuel Pech
"What's the response you've been getting?"

Edmond Quan - President of the Chinese Association
"It has been great. The kids love us and happy new year to everybody."

Emanuel Pech
"Thousands of miles away from the birthplace of this ancient culture, the lion continues its majestic dance. Today, the local Chinese community with the help of some born Belizeans continue this ancient tradition."

Reporting for 7News Emanuel Pech.

This year the Chinese community celebrated the year of the Monkey. According to their calendar, which is based on a 12 year lunar cycle, this is year is associated with ambition and adventure.