Festivities, 1st prize
Religious Ceremony for the God of Fire
Ou Yansheng(China)

  custom of the Yi people, who call themselves Nation of Fire. They still maintain this tradition in Honghe River, Yunnan Province. These pictures show every stage of this fascinating ceremony.  
   
  1. Drilling wood tomake the year's fire seed.  
   
  2. Who are they trying to frighten?  
   
  3. The sorcerer, venerable elders and others carry the God of Fire around the village.  
   
  4. To show the power of the God of Fire, villagers, dressed up as wild animals, run away when it arrives.  
   
  5. Fire dance.  
   
  6. The Axitiaoyue, a traditional dance of Yi Nationality.  
   
  7. Neighboring villagers also join in the fun.  
   
  8. The Grand Finale, a Big Bonfine!  
   
  9. Burns and blisters? Don't bother me!  

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