A Miao villager dances with lusheng (reed pipes) to celebrate the Manghao Festival on Monday in Anning village, Rong'an county of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao ethnic villagers danced with lusheng (reed pipes) on Monday to celebrate the Manghao Festival in Anning village, Rong'an county, in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The Manghao Festival is a grand ceremony celebrated on the ninth day of the lunar new year by Miao people to worship their ancestor Manghao, who is regarded as the god of good luck.

In ancient times, to protect their homes from bandits, Manghao and his neighbors dressed up as savages, wearing masks made of bark and cloaks made of local vines to scare the bandits and drive them away.

Nowadays, young Manghao players touch and pat others with boiler ash-covered hands to send good wishes.

The Manghao Festival attracts visitors and adds blessings for Spring Festival.

Miao villagers portray savages with masks made of bark and cloaks made of vines to celebrate the Manghao Festival. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao villagers portray savages with masks made of bark and cloaks made of vines to celebrate the Manghao Festival. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A visitor poses with a Miao villager during the Manghao Festival on Monday in Anning village, Rong'an county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao villagers portray savages with masks made of bark and cloaks made of vines to celebrate the Manghao Festival. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao villagers portray savages with masks made of bark and cloaks made of vines to celebrate the Manghao Festival. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao villagers dance with lusheng (reed pipes) to celebrate the Manghao Festival on Monday in Anning village, Rong'an county of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Miao villagers dance with lusheng (reed pipes) to celebrate the Manghao Festival on Monday in Anning village, Rong'an county of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo by Qin Qinghe/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]