Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

A patron wears a Chinese costume. - Colin Hamilton Photo

The Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) welcomed the Year of the Pig last Sunday night at the Annual Spring Festival ushering in the Chinese New Year.

The Spring Festival is the most important and biggest festival in China, and based on the large turnout at the CBA Centre, it still holds importance for the Chinese in Jamaica.

The festivities truly began as the curtains parted on the stage to reveal the CBA Children's Choir, who looked adorable singing Jamaica's national anthem, followed by the lion dance, which originated in China a thousand years ago.

The dancers emerged from the back of the auditorium and gracefully made their way on stage urged on by a masked figure who tried to control the lion. Full of acrobatic movements and a very colourful costume, patrons sat in wonder at the spectacle.

The dancers then gracefully entered on stage in traditional garb as they twirled to the Chinese Fan Dance. Two young ladies danced to Butterfly Lovers, an old Chinese folk song about the tale of two lovers.

The much awaited fashion show was next, starting with an ethnic parade. There are 56 ethnic groups in China, the CBA displayed some of the ethnic groups' various traditional dress. An array of rich colours followed as the girls came out looking lovely in flowing dresses and suits. After the traditional dress was the modern Chinese gear, which most persons are familiar with, which were just as beautiful.

Dancer

The fashion show was interrupted by the 'In Motion Teen Hip Hop Dancers', who mixed dancehall moves with Chinese and hip hop. The fashion show resumed with casual, sporty and other attire from Ammar's, Juneplum and Changes.

Wilson Look-Kin , president of the CBA and his excellency Chen Jinghua, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, addressed the gathering.

The two outlined the fortune associated with the Year of the Pig, which is connected to fertility and virility.

The Children's Choir made their last performance with songs such as Jasmine Flowers and Congrats Congrats - proud parents could be seen flocking to the front of the stage with cameras in hand.