Hong Kong: Tai Hang villagers bring to life centuries-old fire dragon dance ritual

For three consecutive nights during the Mid-Autumn Festival a 67 meter long 'fire dragon' wends its way in fire, smoke and festive fury through the backstreets of Tai Hang. (Photo: AP)

The yearly Tai Hang fire dragon dance proceeds through the streets of Tai Hang on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. The tradition is one of the highlights of the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo: AP)

People put incense sticks on the Tai Hang fire dragon on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. The centuries-old tradition began to stop a run of bad luck from afflicting their village like being a hit by a typhoon then a plague. (Photo: AP)

People attend the yearly Tai Hang fire dragon dance on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. Residents of the village decided to stage a fire dance for three days and nights to get rid of the horrific disasters the village was suffering. (Photo: AP)

Bright red lanterns on the streets of Tai Hang on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. Villagers made the dragon with straw and incense sticks. (Photo: AP)

Men get ready to perform for the yearly Tai Hang fire dragon dance on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. For three days and nights villagers danced through the streets with the dragon accompanied by drummers and firecrackers. The bad luck is said to have disappeared. (Photo: AP)

The fiery dragon dance proceeds through the streets of Tai Hang on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. Locals to this day recreate the ancient ritual with a gigantic dragon. (Photo: AP)

The yearly Tai Hang fire dragon dance proceeds through the streets of Tai Hang on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. Only men from Tai Hang are allowed to be part of the dragon's body. (Photo: AP)