The Whale Worship Festival in Quy Nhon: A Unique Cultural Tradition of the Coastal People

The Whale Worship Festival in Quy Nhon, highlights its cultural significance, traditional rituals, and vibrant coastal festivities. Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

For the people of Quy Nhon, the Whale Worship Festival is the most important event of the year, deeply rooted in the coastal community's tradition of worshipping the whale, known as Ca Ong.

1. Understanding the Origins of the Whale Worship Festival

The Whale Worship Festival is a form of folk culture associated with the tradition of worshipping Ca Ong, a practice prevalent among the coastal communities from Central to Southern Vietnam. In Binh Dinh province, the festival is celebrated in almost all coastal areas, including Hoai Nhon, Phu Cat, Phu My, Tuy Phuoc districts, and Quy Nhon city.

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Originating from the fishing culture of the coastal regions, the festival is held to express gratitude to the Nam Hai deity for protecting and blessing the fishermen, ensuring calm seas and abundant catches

2. Locations of the Whale Worship Festival in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh

Though the timing and locations may vary, most Whale Worship Festivals in Binh Dinh take place at Ca Ong temples, where the remains of stranded whales are buried. In Quy Nhon, the festival at Lang Ong Nam Hai in Hung Luong village, Nhon Ly island commune, has been held annually on the 10th day of the lunar month of May for over a century.

Traditionally, the festival is divided into two main events: the "Le" (ceremonial part) and the "Hoi" (festive part). The ceremonial part is solemn and sacred, with rituals to welcome the spirits of "Duc Ong" and those who perished at sea to their final resting place.

3. Highlighted Rituals of the Whale Worship Festival

Similar to the Ky Yen Festival in agricultural culture, the Whale Worship Festival is an opportunity for coastal residents to express their deep gratitude to the deities, praying for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

3.1. Day One: The Opening Ceremony

The festival begins with the Le Vong, a morning ritual to announce the start of the festival and seek the blessings of the Nam Hai deity. The ceremony includes offerings of wine and a ceremonial reading praising the whale’s role in helping the local fishermen.

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This is followed by the Nghinh Than (Spirit Welcoming) ceremony, where the spirit of the whale is symbolically invited from the sea or land and escorted to the temple for the grand worship ceremony.

The first day concludes with the Co Hon (Lost Souls) ceremony, held at the Nam Hai temple courtyard. Offerings include bowls of plain porridge, rice, salt, betel, wine, incense, and paper votive objects. The ceremony leader performs the rituals, chanting prayers to honor those who died at sea and scattering the offerings as a symbolic act of feeding the wandering spirits.

3.2. Day Two: The Grand Spirit Welcoming Ceremony

This is the most important and solemn ceremony of the festival, usually taking place at midnight on the second day and extending into the early morning of the third day. The offerings typically include a pig’s head, fruits, rice paper, and notably, no seafood is used to welcome the Sea Deity.

The ceremony concludes with a ritual where fishermen board their boats, symbolically launching the new fishing season with hopes for a bountiful harvest.

3.3. Day Three: The Ba Trao Performance

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The Ba Trao performance is a traditional folk art unique to the Central Coast of Vietnam, combining singing and dancing with the use of oars. The performance, often taking place on the third day of the festival, symbolizes the boat carrying the whale's spirit to its final resting place. The content of the performance expresses gratitude to the whale deity, asking for protection and blessings for a peaceful and prosperous life.

The Whale Worship Festival in Binh Dinh embodies the sacred aspirations of the local community for a prosperous life and serves as a powerful motivator for the new fishing season. For those who love exploring the coastal culture of Quy Nhon, this festival is an experience to be noticed.

Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh)