Nandan county in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, held the Zhuang Bull Worship Festival on April 2 to pray for a bumper harvest and social peace.

Locals treat the day as the birthday of the bull, and have celebrated the festival for hundreds of years.

On the day of the festival Zhuang people are not allowed to beat, scold or ride bulls, let alone put them to work in the field. People often prepare food for the bulls early in the morning and present the animals with garlands to show their supreme status and dignity.

A sacrificial ceremony and various other celebration activities are also held during the festival.

Edited by Owen Fishwick