Deng Fei, Shaw-Chiang Wong

Development of a Conghua Cat Head Lion Dance Animation as a Catalyst for Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation

Introduction

Development of a conghua cat head lion dance animation as a catalyst for intangible cultural heritage preservation. Animation preserves Conghua Cat Head Lion Dance (CHLD), a Chinese intangible cultural heritage. This study developed an animation to engage younger generations and boost cultural awareness in China.

Abstract

Conghua Cat Head Lion Dance (CHLD) is a traditional dance art that faces challenges in inheritance and education. Animation is engaging and emotionally resonant, naturally appealing to the younger generation, making it a tool that scholars recommend for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This study employs animation as a catalyst to promote and preserve the art of CHLD among the younger Chinese generation by raising their awareness of it. This study was divided into three stages. In the first stage, a field investigation was conducted at the ancestral hall in Guangdong Province, China. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were held with four purposively selected inheritors to collect qualitative data. The application of thematic analysis revealed four distinctive elements that could be incorporated into the animation: (1) characters, (2) patterns and costumes, (3) props, and (4) performance techniques. In the second stage, an animation was created by incorporating CHLD elements, following The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (Mayer & Moreno, 1999) and The Animation and Design Principles for Instructional Animation (Betrancourt, 2005). In the third stage, a self-administered survey questionnaire was used to examine whether the CHLD animation had the potential to increase the awareness of CHLD culture preservation among a randomly selected group of 181 students from Guangzhou City Construction College and Guangdong Polytechnic. More than 75% of the respondents expressed positive views of the created CHLD animation. The study’s findings and the created animation reaffirmed the effectiveness of using digital media to preserve and promote CHLD culture, especially among China’s younger generation. This also offers a valuable reference for similar studies contributing to the sustainable development of ICH in the Chinese context.

Review

This study presents a compelling and timely approach to intangible cultural heritage (ICH) preservation, specifically focusing on the Conghua Cat Head Lion Dance (CHLD). By leveraging animation as a catalyst, the authors aim to address the critical challenges of inheritance and education that traditional arts face, particularly among the younger generation. The multi-stage methodology, encompassing field investigation, interviews with inheritors, and a theoretically grounded animation development process (Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning and Animation and Design Principles for Instructional Animation), demonstrates a robust and interdisciplinary design. The initial positive reception of the animation, with over 75% of surveyed students expressing favorable views, strongly supports the study's central hypothesis regarding digital media's potential for cultural promotion and awareness. A significant strength of this work lies in its practical application and systematic methodology. The initial qualitative phase, involving direct engagement with CHLD inheritors, effectively distilled key cultural elements—characters, patterns, props, and performance techniques—into a format suitable for animation. This careful ethnographic foundation ensures the cultural authenticity of the developed digital artifact. Furthermore, the subsequent quantitative evaluation with a considerable sample size of 181 students provides valuable empirical evidence for the animation's perceived effectiveness. The study successfully reaffirms the utility of digital media, not merely as an archival tool, but as an engaging and active medium for fostering cultural awareness and potentially sustainable ICH development within the Chinese context, offering a valuable reference for similar preservation efforts. While the study offers a promising foundation, the abstract hints at areas for further refinement and future research. The assessment of "awareness" based solely on "positive views" of the animation, though a strong start, could benefit from a more nuanced measurement of increased knowledge, appreciation, or intention to engage with CHLD. Additionally, while the student sample size is respectable, a discussion on the generalizability of findings from college students in Guangzhou to the broader "younger Chinese generation" would be beneficial. Future research could explore the long-term impact of such animation on actual cultural engagement or behavioral changes, moving beyond initial perceptions to demonstrate sustained preservation efficacy. Despite these considerations, this study makes a significant contribution to both ICH preservation and the application of digital media, presenting a well-executed initial step in an important cultural endeavor.

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