Devotees of Tian Du Yuanshuai, faces blackened by ash. They have been carrying an effigy of Marshal Tian Du through the streets, occasionally setting off huge numbers of firecrackers under the effigy and standing right next to the explosion as it rocks the area and covers them in ash.

Figure of Tiandou Yuanshuai and temple-goer with traditional suona instrument under his arm.

Devotee of Tiandou Yuanshuai, face blackened by ash and marked by searing firecrackers. Behind him the effigy of Marshal Tian Du which they have been parading down the road and setting off masses of firecrackers under.

Close up of the face of a figure representing Tian Du Yuanshuai, the deity of regional Chinese and Taiwanese opera. The legend says he was saved as an infant by crabs, who fed him on their saliva; hence, he has a crab symbol on his forehead. His followers and many members of opera troupes will not eat crab out of respect for the saviours of their sacred Marshal Tian Du.

Tian Du Yuanshuai is paraded down the road in Kaohsiung

Devotees of Tian Du Yuanshuai, faces blackened by ash. They have been carrying an effigy of Marshal Tian Du through the streets, occasionally setting off huge numbers of firecrackers under the effigy and standing right next to the explosion as it rocks the area and covers them in ash.

Celebration of Tian Du Yuanshuai's birthday. Three temple brothers with traditional tiger face paint.

Experienced player of the traditional Chinese instrument the suona, which often accompanies deity's birthday celebrations.

The sign bears the name of the Taiwanese Taoist temple that this group represents. The air is filled with the smoke of huge firecracker explosions.

Players of the traditional Chinese instrument the suona, which often accompanies deity's birthday celebrations.

Figure of Tian Du Yuanshuai bearing his name "田都元帥" around his neck.

The cavalcade for Tiandou Yuanshuai. Taoist devotees take a break from wheeling a golden gong down the road.

Celebration of Tian Du Yuanshuai's birthday. The remnants of used firecrackers are kicked aside to prepare for more explosive celebrations.

Devotees of Tian Du Yuanshuai, faces blackened by ash. They have been carrying an effigy of Marshal Tian Du through the streets, occasionally setting off huge numbers of firecrackers under the effigy and standing right next to the explosion as it rocks the area and covers them in ash.

Devotees of Tian Du Yuanshuai, faces blackened by ash. They have been carrying an effigy of Marshal Tian Du through the streets, occasionally setting off huge numbers of firecrackers under the effigy and standing right next to the explosion as it rocks the area and covers them in ash.

Exhuausted from the day's exertions, a Tiandou Yuanshuai follower takes a rest on the blackened effigy of Marshal Tian Du, which they have been parading down the road and setting off masses of firecrackers under.

Smoke fills the air in a busy road in Kaohsiung as the cavalcade for Tiandou Yuanshuai marches forth, intermittently setting of these huge gunpowder explosions.

The cavalcade for Tian Du Yuanshuai. A temple-goers wheels sacred items down the road. Behind him the powerful symbol of the tiger.

The cavalcade for Tian Du Yuanshuai. A temple-goer wheels sacred weavings down the road.

Devotees of Tian Du Yuanshuai, faces blackened by ash. They have been carrying an effigy of Marshal Tian Du through the streets, occasionally setting off huge numbers of firecrackers under the effigy and standing right next to the explosion as it rocks the area and covers them in ash.

Huge plumes of smoke reach to the sky as followers of Tian Du Yuanshuai set off a mass of firecrackers under a figurine of the deity. The devotees then beat on a drum and march forth.

Taiwan, Alishan, Nia'Ucna village: In 2009, typhoon Morakot swept through this region of Taiwan and ravaged it. Four years later, hillsides decimated by landslides and the skeletal remains of trees ripped from their roots still lay strewn around.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - before Mayasvi: A traditional Tsou knife, which will be worn during the ceremony. Mayasvi is also known as the Ceremony of War and Triumph. The Tsou were once fierce and feared warriors in Taiwan; previously, they had a headhunting tradition, though this was outlawed by the Japanese, who colonised Taiwan from 1895-1945. Keeping traditions such as Mayasvi alive is vital for the survival of Tsou traditions and culture in the modern age.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi ceremony: Tsou lady in traditional clothing carries a flame to the sacred fire outside the Kuba during the Mayasvi ceremony. The fire will be kept alight for two days straight.

Nia'Ucna village, Alishan, Taiwan: Pasuya, is a dignitary is Tsou society, he is the brother of the former Nia'Ucna village chieftain. Seen here displaying his traditional tobacco pipe and headpeice made from seashell and black bear hair. He is now the custodian of many of the Tsou's tribal treasures as after the devastation of typhoon Morakot, Pasuya collected and saved as many of the ancestral artifacts as he could - those which had not been washed away by the flood waters - he keeps them safe in his house.

Nia'Ucna village, Alishan, Taiwan: Pasuya, now a janitor, was once famed for his superhuman strength on building sites and for having longest grenade throw record during his national service in Taiwan's army. Unfortunately, discrimination and lack of access to education means there are now few opportunities outside of manual labour for many of Taiwan's original inhabitants.

Nia'Ucna village, Alishan, Taiwan: Pasuya, a Tsou (one of Taiwan's aboriginal peoples) ruminates about the fate of his people and his home.

Taiwan, Alishan: Pasuya's generation hold a wealth of knowledge about the history, beliefs and language of the Tsou, while few youngsters speak the language fluently any more. Furthermore, their traditional culture is caught between being watered down - Mayasvi is now a tourist event in Taiwan - or disappearing completely, which is a real possibility if it fails to find relevance in the modern age to the lives of young Tsou people. There may still time to preserve this precious culture, but as Pasuya and his peers pass on, they will undoubtedly take with them knowledge and insights, some of which will be lost forever.

Nia'Ucna village, Alishan, Taiwan: Pasuya lives in a remote village in Taiwan's high mountains. His family dog earnestly keeps guard outside their humble home, but can provide no protection against the serious threats the Tsou face. Natural disasters made worse by mismanagement of the land by Taiwan's government pose a serious threat to life in the mountains and the unstoppable march of globalisation threatens to see Tsou language and culture disappear from this Earth completely.

Tsou house near the kuba, Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan: The jawbones of hunted animals are hung on the wall inside this Tsou house, providing protection. Previously, when the Tsou had a headhunting tradition, the skulls of human foes would have been used for the same purpose.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi ceremony: After the village males have completed several important rituals, the villages ladies will join.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi: Villagers perform a male only dance, circling around a ceremonial fire. They sing and dance arm-in-arm in a show of unity. Mayasvi is a particularly important festival for males as it includes a rite of passage for newborn baby boys and a coming of age ritual for male teenagers. Furthermore, the focus of the rituals is at the Kuba, a sacred straw-roofed building where important decisions are made and ceremonies carried out. Women are forbidden to enter or even touch the Kuba.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi ceremony: The men and women of the village perform a group dance around the ceremonial fire. Singing Tsou songs together as they do.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi ceremony: The Maotana run out of the kuba courtyard into the surrounding countryside, later returning to the ceremonial fire with a triumphant shout.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi: Male villagers in traditional attire look on as a squeeling wild boar is sacrificed, thus ushering down the gods I’afafeoi and Posonfihi.

Alishan forests, Taiwan: These age-old towering trees in Alishan mountain forest have seen the rise of human culture in Taiwan. From early man, to Taiwan's original Austronesian inhabitants, then the Dutch, the Ming, the Qing, the Japanese, the Chinese Nationalists, modern day Taiwan. However, it is the Tsou who have made their home amongst their towering trunks for the longest and who hold the deepest respect for them.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - yono trees: The Tsou have made their homes in the forests of Alishan for aeons. These yono trees have sacred significance for them. During the 'Mayasvi' ceremony, the blood of the a sacrificial boar is smeared on these trees, which creates a spiritual pathway via which their gods I’afafeoi and Posonfihi can descend from the heavens and bless the villagers.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi: In an important ritual, local warriors climb the yono trees and cut the sacred leaves, which are then worn in their traditional headwear.

Alishan forests, Taiwan: Alishan's misty forests are a magical and beguiling place, but they too have fallen foul of commercialism and money-grabbing. This once peaceful and divine place is now filled to heaving most days with hourdes of tourists - mostly from China, but the area is also exceedingly popular with local Taiwanese and Japanese visitors.

Tfuye village, Alishan, Taiwan - during Mayasvi: A Tsou warrior with traditional feather headset and freshly cut leaves from the sacred yono tree in his headpiece.