We had prepared the sacrifice for many months. The building of the bull proceeded much like any other public building project. First the base was built, concrete poured into holes in the ground. Then the wooden frame was installed, an eerie skeleton hovering over us. The skin came next, carefully sewn together from leather scraps donated by the village.

The horns were more difficult. According to tradition, they must each be made of the heartwood of a virgin ash tree collected during the first full moon of the year. The villagers then spend time carving images on them.

These images represent the unwanted things that the villagers would wish to remove from their lives during the upcoming cleansing rite.

The young maidens of the village then weave garlands of flowers to decorate the bull.

The men attack it, as if to defend their homeland.

The high priest sets fire to it.

A roaring erupts.

Tongues of flame.

Dancing.

Burn.

Ash.