Pictures of the Year International

Gansukh Purevdorj (red) and Gandulam Tsairai (violet) perform ceremonial rites by pouring milk over a special horse during a shamanic ceremony, which was chosen to be a spirit protector for the family, its land and its herd, outside of Darvi Tsum, Western Mongolia, in October 2023. Once the horse has gone through the ceremony it is freed and left to roam freely, never needing to work again. Its freedom will be respected by the family and all the neighbording herders, who cherish the unique role of the spirit protector. Additional Metadata in Headline title: Sacred Protector Ceremony