Villagers in China’s southwest gathered over the weekend for an annual festival which saw revelers dress a dog up in human clothes, parade it through the streets and worship the animal as a god.
Dog Carrying Day has been celebrated for centuries by the Miao people of Jiaobang village in the Guizhou province.
At the climax of the festival, locals use a sedan chair to parade a chosen dog through the streets as it dons a tailor-made shirt, silver necklace and hat.
Villagers in China’s southwest honor dogs each year with an annual Dog Carrying Day festival
Dog Carrying Day has been celebrated for centuries by the Miao people of Jiaobang village in the Guizhou province
At the climax of the festival, locals use a sedan chair to parade a chosen dog through the streets as it dons a tailor-made shirt, silver necklace and hat
Legend has it that the first settlers in the area were saved from dying of thirst by a dog who led them to water – thus, a festival honoring the animal was born.
Water shortages are common in the area, and the community’s ancestors believe the dog was a heaven-sent miracle, according to the South China Morning Post.
In the parade honoring the legend at the festival, a chosen dog is lifted into a wooden chair carried on freshly cut bamboo poles.
A shaman carrying a black sceptre leads the convoy through the street while other sing to the beat of a drum.
Another event in the weekend festivities sees locals throw mud at one another as a prayer to the gods for peace, health and prosperity
Legend has it that the first settlers in the area were saved from dying of thirst by a dog who led them to water – thus, a festival honoring the animal was born
Water shortages are common in the area, and the community’s ancestors believe the dog was a heaven-sent miracle
People gather to watch the parade and give thanks to the dog as they pray for good harvest in the coming year.
It is unclear how the specific dog is chosen for the annual events.
Another event in the weekend festivities sees locals throw mud at one another as a prayer to the gods for peace, health and prosperity.
Some have criticised the festival, however, saying the dog is treated cruelly during the parade because it has a chain tied around its neck.