Nuo masks dance, treasure of China's Maonan ethnic group

Traditional masks of Maonan people at the museum of Maonan ethnic group in Huanjiang, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo by Xiang Yanan/chinadaily.com.cn]

The ritual, called the Nuo dance, uses wooden masks as the essential prop during performance. Most of the mask designs are inspired by images of their local gods.

Accompanied by rhythmic beats of the drums, they dance with their faces hidden behind the masks, using rest of their body to express their deep emotions.