Pedro Narra / Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) leaping in mating rituals, Sado Estuary, Portugal, October

Juergen Freund / A sing-sing performance, known as laklakau in the Tigak language, by Enuk villagers. Villagers sing and dance to show off their traditional rituals and identity. The sing-sing is performed as a celebr...

Pedro Narra / Bottlenose dolphin (tursiops truncatus) mating rituals, Sado Estuary, Portugal, August

Pedro Narra / Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) leaping in mating rituals, Sado Estuary, Portugal, October

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Nenets elder unpacking idols from his sacred sled during ritual. Yamal, Siberia, Russia, 2001. 40 BELOW bookplate.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Nenets sacred sled, used to carry idols (sacred figures). Gydan Peninsula, Western Siberia, Russia., 2000. 40 BELOW bookplate.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Nenets man placing offering of Reindeer / Caribou antlers at sacred site on the Gydan Peninsula, Northwest Siberia, 2000. 40 BELOW bookplate.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Khanty women tie symbolic material round sacred tree to protect family member. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia, 2010. 40 BELOW bookplate.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Chukchi reindeer herder standing by fire he has made for traditional ritual. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, 2010. 40 BELOW bookplate.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Chukchi reindeer herder using bow drill to make fire during traditional ritual. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, 2010. 40 BELOW bookplate.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Two Chukchi sleds holding dried reindeer meat and sacred objects placed on them during traditional Chukchi ritual. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Siberia, Russia, spring 2010

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Chukchi herder preparing to make fire with traditional fire making device during ritual. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, spring 2010

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Chukchi herders with dead Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) killed as part of traditional ritual sacrifice. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, spring 2010

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Idols and other traditional sacred objects used by Chukchi reindeer herders in rituals to protect their family and herd. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, spring 2010

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Chukchi herder preparing to make fire with traditional fire making device during ritual. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, spring 2010

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Fire made using bow drill for traditional Chukchi reindeer herders' ritual. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, spring 2010

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Idols and other traditional sacred objects used by Chukchi reindeer herders in rituals to protect their family and herd. Chukotskiy Peninsula, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia, spring 2010

Juergen Freund / A melasti near one of Bali's most sacred Hindu temples, Pura Petitenget. This religious ceremony, meaning 'to purify', can be performed in a lake, river, spring, or the ocean. Followers pray to their...

Juergen Freund / Man applying lime paste to the face of a boy for a sing-sing performance, known as laklakau in the Tigak language, by Enuk villagers. Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, June 2010.

Juergen Freund / A melasti near one of Bali's most sacred Hindu temples, Pura Petitenget. This religious ceremony, meaning 'to purify', can be performed in a lake, river, spring, or the ocean. Followers pray to their...

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Chukchi boy pouring water into mouth of dead seal, a traditional sign of respect. Chukotka, Siberia, Russia.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Chukchi boy pouring water into mouth of dead seal, a traditional sign of respect. Chukotka, Siberia, Russia.

Eric Baccega / Portrait of Dani woman, her body covered with clay as a sign of mourning. Wamena, Baliem valley, West Papua, former Irian-Jaya, Indonesia, August 2002 (West Papua).

David Pike / Japanese crane courtship display {Grus japonensis} Hokkaido, Japan, annual mating season between February / March. Cranes are generally monogamous, mating with same partner for life - these dancing r...

Jabruson / Bambuti pygmy man at Kumbe circumcision ritual, Epulu Ituri reserve, Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire)