Shanxi

Photographs taken in Shanxi Province in northwest China. They document the old customs originating from pagan ritual practices, beautifully printed in offset as a limited first edition run by Little Big Man. They are, in effect, a voodoo-esque form of totem worship. A number of these ancient customs still survive and remain some of the most important cultural practices during the Lunar New Year throughout most of Shanxi. It appears that the participants have created a dramatic and otherworldly stage—dressing in stunning costumes and exquisitely painting their faces to represent the identities of Gods otherwise long forgotten.