Singing the famous poem “Moon at the Fortified Pass” with a traditional accent and a melancholy manner, Lo Heng Kong, the host of a private tea party, reflects on military life in ancient times, dating back to the Tang Dynasty.
The invitation-only party took place last month in one of the tranquil villas nearby the seashore in Coloane village. The panoramic view of the sea beneath the setting sun aptly echoed the isolation of soldiers far from home in the poem.
The singing and melodious music by a local Chinese orchestra served as a backdrop for a tea performance. Two ladies, one dressed as a housewife from the Tang Dynasty, and the other in a military uniform, performed together on stage.
Without looking at each other, the two performers share the same water source to brew the tea.
“The lack of eye contact signifies the long distance between them. Meanwhile the shared water symbolises the root of their birth place,” Lo explains.
“The setting itself narrates a sad story in a time of war. Men had to leave their families to defend their country. The soldiers usually took a bag of tea from home as a token of family reunion. Drinking the tea could help them cope with their homesickness,” adds Lo.
The performance was organised by the Chinese Tea-ism Association of Macau, the first institute for teaching the art of tea in Macau. As the director, Lo has dedicated himself to promoting this ancient art, and the team has won a number of awards for their exquisite tea ceremonies.
“A proper tea setting enhances the content of our tea culture. It’s full of meaning. A cup of tea can convey such a sophisticated message of life,” he says. “What a pity that the moon is missing tonight, otherwise it would be even more perfect for narrating the nostalgia of the soldiers.”
