Ancient ritual dance performed in E China (1/6)

Actors perform traditional Nuo ritual dance in Shanggan Village of Nanfeng County, east China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 9, 2012. Local residents celebrate the Spring Festival by performing the ancient Nuo ritual dance. Dancers adorn themselves with red jackets, ghost-like masks and artificial tusks to mark the arrival of the Chinese lunar New Year. Villagers believe that the thousand-year-old dance will expel evil spirits, as well as bring mild weather and good harvest. (Xinhua/Zhou Ke)