Traditional God-of-fire sacrifice festival celebrated in N China

People in ethnic Mongolian costumes celebrate the God-of-fire sacrifice festival on Little New Year, which falls on Feb 8 in Hohhot, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The festival is one of the oldest sacrificial rites in Inner Mongolia. Ethnic Mongolians believe that fire is a symbol of purity. It protects the family and the tribes. [Photo/people.cn]

Ethnic Mongolians make boiled lamb breast to honor God of fire on Feb 8 in Hohhot, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Lamb breast is an essential tribute during the God-of-fire sacrifice festival in Inner Mongolia. [Photo/people.cn]