Local residents wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Nuo Dance originated in the primeval age as a means of exorcising evils and worshiping gods. It is the oldest dance form known in Han ethnic group, which has been selected as one of the intangible cultural legacies in China. 

Nuo Dance has been performed in Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province since Han Dynasty. Dancers wear wooden masks while they perform. Nuo mask is an important part of Nuo Dance, which demonstrates craftsmen’s extraordinary skills and conveys the understanding of Nuo culture. 

Nowadays, mysterious Nuo Dance has become an entertainment instead of a means used to dispel evil spirits.

   

Nuo temple, the place where people worship Nuo god. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Luo Huiwu, 75, an heir to Nuo Dance, prepares to wear costumes for Nuo Dance performing. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

Luo Huiwu, 75, an heir to Nuo Dance, prepares to wear costumes for Nuo Dance performing. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Luo Huiwu, 75, an heir to Nuo Dance, prepares to wear costumes for Nuo Dance performing. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Props are prepared for the Nuo Dance performance. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

A Nuo dancer shows a wooden mask which looks ferocious. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Props are prepared for the Nuo Dance performance. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

Props are prepared for the Nuo Dance performance. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Props are prepared for the Nuo Dance performance. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

A tourist takes photo for a Nuo dancer. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

A Nuo dancer puts the mask on a tourist's face. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn 

 

Local residents wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

 

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn

Dancers wearing Nuo masks dance to celebrate the harvest of sweet oranges in Taiyuan Township of Nanfeng county, Southeast China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: chinapic.people.com.cn