In old days, fishermen along seaside
thought that the whale was so good-tempered, hurt no one but helped
people when they had confronted storm in the sea. Taking advantage of
this, someone embroidered several legends on the whale, which was
joined to the life of Nguyen Anh during the time of his traveling and
running away, coloring stories in which the whale saved Nguyen Anh from
shipwreck, using devine power to praise this person.
The
Whale Festival has been, for centuries, the biggest water festival of
the fishermen in Quang Nam, Da Nang province. The worshipping of the
whale is not only about paying respect to their God, but also about
ensuring prosperity for the villagers.
This festival last for two days from the middle of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. On this occasion, the whale temple, as well as all the houses and boats, are beautifully decorated.
The peace offering is conducted in the first evening at the whale temple by village elders. Offerings do not contain sea foods and are given while the oration is read out. The ceremony is held to respect the Whale God and to pray for the safety and propriety of the village.
At dawn the following day, there will be a procession of boats on the sea in a set formation. This procession displays the fishermens' sincerity to their Whale God. By midnight, the official ceremony is conducted as school children offer incense and the orchestra plays a classical opera. All the fishing boats and villagers, no matter where they are, will return to take part in the Whale Festival.
This festival last for two days from the middle of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. On this occasion, the whale temple, as well as all the houses and boats, are beautifully decorated.
The peace offering is conducted in the first evening at the whale temple by village elders. Offerings do not contain sea foods and are given while the oration is read out. The ceremony is held to respect the Whale God and to pray for the safety and propriety of the village.
At dawn the following day, there will be a procession of boats on the sea in a set formation. This procession displays the fishermens' sincerity to their Whale God. By midnight, the official ceremony is conducted as school children offer incense and the orchestra plays a classical opera. All the fishing boats and villagers, no matter where they are, will return to take part in the Whale Festival.
Author: Traveltovietnam
