Students wearing traditional costumes celebrate on the eve of “Ugadi” festival, or new year's day as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar, in Chennai on April 1, 2022. (Photo by Arun Sankar/AFP Photo)
People hop in sacks during Khmer New Year celebrations at Chau Say Tevoda temple in Siem Reap province on April 14, 2022. (Photo by Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP Photo)
A woman kisses her mother during a New Year's Eve party in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines on December 31, 2022. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)
A girl with white powder on her face celebrates the Songkran holiday which marks the Thai New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 14, 2024. (Photo by Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters)
People play with water as they celebrate the Songkran holiday which marks the Thai New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters)
It’s a tradition that dates back hundreds of years, where two stallions fight over a female to ring the Chinese new year. And when it’s the Year of the Horse, the fights are considered to be even more significant. They’re held in small villages across southern China and have been condemned by animal rights groups, including Hong-Kong based Animals Asia. But those who participate in the events defend the fights and insist they take care of the animals.
A Ukrainian serviceman wearing a new year's hat waves at his comrades while standing beside his tank near Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 8, 2015. (Photo by Gleb Garanich/Reuters)