A ceremony took place in Otog Front Banner on Jan 21 to mark the traditional kitchen god festival.

The Mongolian ethnic group holds the god –– who is responsible for fire –– in high regard. In Mongolian culture, fire is sacred and helps drive out evil and misfortune. This is why a sacrificial ceremony is often staged to ignite the holy torch during festivals, migrations or weddings.

Otog Front Banner is considered one of the few places with well-preserved Mongolian traditions. The sacrificial fire ritual in this Banner is long-established and has been maintained in its unique way. The ritual, a treasured intangible cultural heritage, won the honor as the grandest folk sacrificial fire ritual from Shanghai China Records Headquarters.

Local residents in ethnic costumes attend the square where the sacrificial altar is covered with sacrificial offerings. [Photo/nm.people.com.cn]

Local residents in ethnic costumes attend the square where the sacrificial altar is covered with sacrificial offerings. [Photo/nm.people.com.cn]