Let the sheep-catching begin

Riders from Ili Kazak autonomous region of Xinjiang participate in the traditional sport sheep-catching on horseback, at the annual folk festival held in Dali’s old town, April 29, 2010. Sheep-snatching is usually held on holidays or during festive gatherings in pastoral areas of Northwest China. Players are divided into several groups and race to grab the designated sheep. With the help of teammates, the first one to grab the sheep tries to carry the sheep to a designated place while the other teams try to seize the sheep. The team that successfully takes the sheep to the place wins. [Photo/Xinhua]