An ethnic minority H'mong man smokes tobacco while waiting...

QUAN BA, HA GIANG, VIETNAM - 2010/05/21: An ethnic minority H'mong man smokes tobacco while waiting to join a delegation of neighbours who will attend the funeral of a 90-year-old man in Sua Can Ti commune. He died a day before this ceremony and will be buried in three days time. Music, wine and tobacco are important parts of the funeral ritual of Hmong people. Hmong culture is built on animistic beliefs and a strong faith that death is followed by reincarnation as one of many forms whether animal, vegetable or mineral. They believe people may come back as humans, plants, rocks and even ghosts. Death is often considered the most important time for practicing rituals in Hmong communities so that the soul will not be lost and roam for eternity. Hmong culture may have changed in recent years due to immigration and urbanization, but their rituals are still aimed at achieving reincarnation.. (Photo by Chau Doan/LightRocket via Getty Images)