The Wutu dance of Tu minority is popular in Nianduhu Village, Tongren County, Qinghai Province. It is a unique folk custom and culture in that area and is celebrated from 5th to 20th Nov. of lunar calendar each year, including reciting Safety Sutras, joint entertainment between men and gods as well as warding off diseases and evil spirits. "Wutu" is also the name of the dancers. At the beginning of the ritual, the "Wutu" dancers would be painted with patterns of tigers and leopards on naked upper body, performing along the village and dancing in every household. The Wutu dance of Tu ethnic group can be traced back to centuries ago.
Wutu is a term in ancient Chinese, meaning "tiger". Local people in Regong Region, Tongren County of Qinghai Province, regard December 20 of the lunar calendar as a "dark day" when demons and ghosts would come out to make troubles. Therefore, they hold a sacrifice event - Wutu Dance, which is to imitate the tiger's movements to expel demons and ghosts and pray for peace.