From village tradition to Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage: Heritagisation of Pok Fu Lam village’s Fire Dragon Dance

This paper examines the heritagisation process of the Pok Fu Lam Fire Dragon Dance in Hong Kong, tracing its transformation from a village tradition to a recognised intangible cultural heritage (ICH). Through fieldwork and historical analysis, the study explores how the Fire Dragon Dance has evolved in response to urbanisation threats, government policies and the ICH designation. The research highlights how local stakeholders have strategically leveraged the ICH concept to revitalise and maintain their community traditions, while also adapting the practice to meet broader societal expectations. The paper argues that this process involves negotiation and compromise, resulting in a de-villagisation and performatisation of the dance. By expanding beyond its original community and embracing new performance contexts, the Pok Fu Lam Fire Dragon Dance has successfully transformed into a shared cultural resource for Hong Kong, demonstrating the dynamic nature of ICH in urban settings. Copyright © 2025 National Folk Museum of Korea.