“TSAM · The Dance of Gods” was born from a deep immersion into one of Mongolia’s most sacred and rare rituals. I spent months planning this project, learning the spiritual significance of the Tsam dance, and working closely with the local communities and monks who preserve this ancient tradition.

The image captures the moment when the dancers — embodying deities and protectors — merge movement, mythology, and spirituality into a single, powerful performance. My goal was not only to photograph an event but to convey the profound energy and invisible presence that permeates this ritual.

Access to the Tsam ritual was not achieved overnight; it was the result of over seven years of dedication and trust-building.

The monastery where the ritual is performed is highly protective of its traditions and had historically refused financial incentives for outside access. However, I was fortunate that at the time, the monastery needed support for the restoration of its sacred site, a temple over 300 years old.

I offered my photography skills to help the monastery by creating images that could be used for fundraising campaigns and to assist in the registration of the Mongolian Tsam dance as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Through this act of genuine service, and by consistently demonstrating respect for their culture, I was granted permission to photograph the ritual in a way that would honor its deep spiritual significance.

Absolutely. There was a profound sense of pride, devotion, and dignity radiating from every participant.

They were not performing for the camera — they were offering themselves to something greater. I sought to honor that spirit by composing each image to emphasize their spiritual strength and presence. Rather than simply observing, I aimed to translate the invisible connection between the performers and the divine into a form that could be felt by those who view the images.

Through my research, I learned that Mongolian Tsam, though originally rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and carried along the Silk Road, gradually blended with local beliefs to become Khuree Tsam — a tradition rich with unique masks, garments, and sacred chants that reflect the spirit of Mongolia itself.

What moved me most was the extraordinary dedication reflected in every detail. The ceremonial costumes are entirely handcrafted: beads made from bone, intricate silver and gold ornaments donated by villagers, and layers of garments that together weigh over 30 kilograms. Yet, the lamas wear these heavy costumes and dance in continuous ritual for more than eight hours — a living expression of deep faith, patience, and resilience.

Beyond the craftsmanship, I was deeply impressed by the way Mongolian artists infused color into every element of the ritual. From the vibrant masks to the richly layered robes, each hue was chosen with meaning, creating a visual symphony that elevated the ceremony into a moving work of living art.

Witnessing the ceremony, held once a year at a 300-year-old monastery deep within a northern valley, felt like stepping into a living prayer. Everything — from the ancient masks to the humble devotion of the villagers who traveled great distances to participate — spoke of a heritage that endures not through performance, but through heartfelt reverence.

Although the photographs were carefully composed in collaboration with the lamas, using authentic elements, every frame was created to honor this spirit — preserving not just the form of the tradition, but the profound feeling and artistry that live within it.

I am currently working on a photographic project exploring faith and rituals across different regions of Asia. This journey, part of my broader People and Their World series, seeks to document spiritual traditions that continue to shape the identities of communities — especially rare rituals that are now endangered and at risk of fading away.

It is a path filled with richness, depth, and profound challenges — both in understanding deeply rooted cultural contexts and in capturing the unseen layers of human belief and devotion.