A folk art troupe gives a Shehuo performance in Longxian county, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, 2002.

Villagers and Shehuo performers gathered for a photo in Ma’an township, Huating county of Northwest China’s Gansu province in 2003.

The performance of Shehuo can be traced back to ancient rituals held by ancestors of the Chinese people to worship the earth, which they believe would bring good harvests and fortune.

With time, the primitive rituals evolved into the Shehuo festivity, a sort of folk art performance given on Chinese traditional festivals and a tribute to the Tudi Gong, a deity who holds sway over fortune and wealth.

Most Shehuo performances take place around traditional Chinese festivals, especially at temple fairs during Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.

Sun Yanyong, a member of the China Photographers Association, took about 13 years to investigate, accumulate and research the folk sacrifice culture of Guanlong Shehuo by traveling to nearly 100 villages in Northwest China’s Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.

Through his lens, Sun kept a record of the valuable images and safeguarded the disappearing folk culture.

His photography series Sacrifice, has won many prizes, including the Best Photographer Award at the China Jinan International Photography Biennale in 2012 and the Bronze Award at the 6th Golden Graphic Arts Awards in 2013.

Men and their children dress in Shehuo costumes for a photo in Ma’an township, Huating county of Northwest China’s Gansu province in 2004.

A folk art troupe gives a Shehuo performance in Longxian county, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, 2004.

A group of Shehuo performers pose for a photo in Longxian county, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, 2004.

Villagers watch a Shehuo performance in Ma’an township, Huating county of Northwest China’s Gansu province in 2004.

Performers of Shehuo, a sort of folk art performance given on Chinese traditional festivals, pose for a photo in Ma’an township, Huating county of Northwest China’s Gansu province in 2004.

Performers of Shehuo, a sort of folk art performance given on Chinese traditional festivals, pose for a photo in Bamiao township, Pingliang city, Northwest China’s Gansu province, 2006.

A folk art troupe were in Ruifeng township, Jingchuan county, Northwest China’s Gansu province for a Shehuo performance, 2009.

A folk art troupe gives a Shehuo performance in Caofeng township, Pingliang city, Northwest China’s Gansu province, 2011.

Some children dressed in Shehuo performance costumes in Lianhua township, Qin’an county, Northwest China’ Gansu province, 2012.