A performer is helped drawing paintings on his face to imitate tiger during the traditional Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits and pray for happiness in Shuangbai county, Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 10, 2008. The whole ritual procedure, with different kinds of dances as its main part, is the most ancient and well-preserved ritual for ethnic Yi people. (Xinhua Photo)
Boys with dapple paintings on their bodies imitate leopards during the traditional Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits and pray for happiness in Shuangbai county, Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 10, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
Naked boys with dapple paintings on their bodies imitate leopards during the traditional Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits and pray for happiness in Shuangbai county, Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 10, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
Ethnic Yi people dance during the traditional Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits and pray for happiness in Shuangbai county, Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 10, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
Local people imitating tigers perform during the traditional Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits and pray for happiness in Shuangbai county, Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 10, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
Local people imitating tigers perform during the traditional Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits and pray for happiness in Shuangbai county, Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 10, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
Ethnic Yi people pray during the traditional Nuo ritual to exorcise evil spirits and pray for happiness in Shuangbai county, Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 10, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
