Nuo dance perfomed in Jiangxi Province, east China (9)

（Xinhua）  17:01, December 10, 2012

The Nuo dance, dubbed "the living fossil of the Chinese dance art", derived from an ancient ritual of the Spring and Autumn period (ca. 771-476 BC). In Wuyuan, the Nuo dance is usually performed on the second day of the Chinese New Year. Dancers wear Nuo masks which represent mythical deities or historical personages and, following simple, rough dance steps, conduct exorcisement while praying for good harvests in the year to come. In 2006, the Nuo dance of Wuyuan was listed as one of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritages.