China villages usher in spring, honour Guan Gong in Fujian Province

Villagers in east China’s Fujian Province dashed through muddy fields on Wednesday carrying Guan Gong, a golden statue of an ancient Chinese general who is celebrated for stealing from the rich to give to the poor. The wild sprint is part of a centuries-old ceremony that takes place in the three-day lead-up to China's Lantern Festival on February 11. The holiday is a time for colorful ceremonies in Fujian, where the coastal province's population of Hakka people have passed down particularly strong folk traditions. Take a look! (Courtesy of AFP)

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