In Pictures: Indonesia welcomes the Year of the Snake with dragons and drums

Asian communities across the world are preparing to ring in the Lunar New Year, with 2025 designated as the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. Fireworks, parades and other Lunar New Year rituals are centred around removing bad luck and welcoming prosperity.

Millions of people in Indonesia have Chinese ancestry and crowds gathered in the bustling city of Bogor, south of the capital, Jakarta, to watch as drummers interspersed around displays of traditional dragon and lion puppets.

Some of the puppets stretch up to 65ft (20m) long with interconnected segments held by about a dozen people walking underneath.

Rounds of applause greet the dancers, while some in the audience place “angpau” – an envelope containing money usually given during holidays or for special occasions – into the puppet’s mouth.