Aug 25, 2017 06:12 PM

Photo Essay: Sanya Fishermen Pray for Bumper Catch

(Sanya, Hainan Island) - More than 500 villagers in Sanya, a resort town in the southern island province of Hainan, dressed in ancient costumes for a colorful ceremony on Aug. 16 to mark the end of a three-month-long fishing ban in South China Sea.

The ban is an annual one to ensure that the area’s fish stock has time to replenish, but, according to the official Xinhua News Agency, this year’s ban lasted from May 1 to Aug. 16 — 40 days longer than in previous years.

More than 18,000 fishing boats in Hainan were instructed not to leave port during this time. In the past, tens of thousands of fishing boats would set out to sea on Aug. 16. Villagers would pray for a year of good weather and a bumper catch.

Villagers dressed in ancient costume join a parade to celebrate the Fishing Festival near the Sanya Yazhou Center Fishing Port in Hainan on Aug. 16. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

Villagers dressed in Taoist costume march in the parade. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A woman carrying a replica of an ancient weapon poses for a photo as she gets ready for the parade. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A villager carries an object resembling an incense burner in the parade. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

Costumed villagers pray to local deities including the Dragon King, hoping for a safe voyage and a bountiful catch. The ritual includes a flag raising ceremony, incense offerings and music by a traditional orchestra that includes a team of suona players. A suona is a double reed woodwind instrument used in many traditional Chinese folk rituals. Photo: Zhou Chen/Caixin