Tsam Sacred Rites

• Photographer
  Roger Chen
• Technical Info
  Leica Q3, 28 F/1.7, 1/125 Iso 3200
• Photo Date
  Sep 20, 2025

The annual sacred Tsam dance ritual at the Amarbayasgalant Monastery in Mongolia dates back to the 8th century, and involves monks training rigorously over several months to perfect the dance to rhythmic music as celestial spirits are embodied during the day-long ceremonies. The sacred masks representing deities and mythical creatures are considered to be vessels of divine energy as the monks' mantras, trance-life meditation and sacred dances portray the battle between good vs. evil. Here the head lama performs sacred rites ahead of the masked dance ritual.

I'm a cultural and documentary photographer and aspiring visual storyteller, currently based in Manila, Philippines. Having led a nomadic lifestyle all my adult life because of my career in the diplomatic service, I have been intrigued by the cultures, traditions and artistic heritage of the numerous countries I have visited or resided in.