A man carries a boy on his back, climbing a ladder of knives barefoot. The action, dangerous at first glance, is to celebrate the child's birthday and pray for his good fortune.

The performance is a part of nuotangxi, or Nuotang opera, a traditional folk art in Yanhe county, Southwest China's Guizhou province.

It used to be a part of ceremonies for the Tujia ethnic group, who performed the art as a rite. Now, it has become a part of various festivals.

Li Hanyi contributed to the story.

A Tujia man in traditional costume climbs the knife-ladder with bare feet. [Photo by Wu Min/For chinadaily.com.cn]