Young men wear masks in the caogai dance. Chen Ji / China Daily

The troupe then traveled from house to house. Every family greeted them by setting off firecrackers on their doorsteps.

I was snapping photos when several burly women grabbed me and began tossing me in the air. The world appeared upside down, and all I could make out was the swirl of colorful skirts.

The festival's 15th day marked a sacrifice to the local mountain god, Yexinama.

A sheep was cut open, and its entrails and some wool were placed in a small bowl. Blood was collected in another bowl.

The two vessels－representing the whole sheep－were placed on a short parapet facing the mountain.

Then, people began praying.

Elders hoisted a paper effigy and ascended and descended the mountain to drumbeats.

The day and the festival ended with lively songs and dances.

The author is a China Writers Association member. This story first appeared in Chinese Art newspaper and was translated by Yang Feiyue.

If you go

It takes more than two hours to fly from Beijing to Mian-yang, and another five hours to reach Paxijia via bus.