Traditional ceremonies in the villages of the 15 ethnic minorities that live in China’s Northwest Yunnan Province -- including Tibetan and Naxi-- are an important part of rhythm of life, covering everything from marriage and building a new house to pilgrimages around holy mountains to the "Torch Festival" which is a special ceremony that is held to honor the gods. In this photograph a woman from the Yi minority blesses the crops during a harvest festival. Click the pictures below to enter the gallery and read the stories behind the images.

All pictures were taken by Photovoices volunteer photographers.