Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Whale Festival Hoi An is a significant event for the people of Quang, as well as the inhabitants of the South Central Coast provinces in general. Today, let's go to Hoi An and participate in the Whale Festival to learn and feel better when the town is busy and full of respect for the locals.
The origin of the The Whale Festival
The Whale Festival (Ca Ong Festival) is a celebration in Hoi An that is especially important to the fishermen of Quang Nam fishing village, and it stems from the archaic beliefs of the coastal communities. After being aided numerous times by Ca Ong to avoid danger at sea, fishermen's habit of worshiping Ca Ong has evolved into a significant religious holiday.
Ca Ong is a type of gray back whale revered by fishermen as the sea's god (also known as Than Nam Hai). There are numerous legends around the picture of whales that have been passed down from generation to generation. As a result, the whale is thought to be the predecessor of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Mr. Nam Hai is the person that transforms into a whale to assist and protect fishermen at sea during storms, large waves, and severe winds.
The Whale Festival is a celebration in Hoi An
The meaning of the The Whale Festival
The Whale Festival is conducted on Ca Ong's day of cavalry (day of death) or in the place where Ca Ong died, to demonstrate appreciation and respect to the gods who have always protected and defended the people. The sacrifice also expresses a desire to travel out to sea with "quiet waves and calm sea," to have a new bumper fishing season, smooth sailing, and for everyone to return safely.
The Whale Festival Hoi An Dates and Location
The Ca Ong Festival Hoi An is typically held in coastal communes where fishing is the primary source of income.
Time to take place: mid-March of the lunar calendar every year.
What's special about The Whale Festival Hoi An?
Learn about special rituals in the Ca Ong Festival Hoi An
Ca Ong Festival is the most important celebration in Quang Nam for fisherman. When the Ca Ong Festival approaches, everyone anxiously begins to prepare, decorating the altar beautifully and solemnly, setting the incense table for the worshiping ceremony, and decorating the boats with lights and colorful flowers.
You have chance to learn about special rituals in the Ca Ong Festival Hoi An
Praying Ceremony
Ca Ong village holds a prayer for peace event on the first holiday. The fishing village will be represented by the head priests, elders, and reputable people who will offer offerings and read sacrifices expressing the people's appreciation and gratitude for Ca Ong's high merit and pray. Allow the fish to hit where it can be consumed, then glide out to sea; fish and shrimp have cavities.
Ca Ong village holds a prayer for peace event on the first holiday. The fishing village will be represented by the head priests, elders, and reputable people who will offer offerings and read sacrifices expressing the people's appreciation and gratitude for Ca Ong's high merit and pray for smooth sailing and a bounty of fish and shrimp.
Procession at sea
The next morning, at dawn, the villagers began to beat the drums in preparation for the Ca Ong march on the sea. All ships sailed together to the predetermined location for the top priest to "beg glue." This is a significant custom in which the applicant asks the gods if a new year plan or plan can be accomplished. The ships will return to land after successfully applying for glue, per the senior priest's order.
Ca Ong village holds a prayer for peace event on the first holiday
The Sacrifice Feast
The official ceremony lasted until midnight the next day. The primary event comprises essential rituals such as the mining ceremony, incense offerings by the student team, and the staging of cultural programs and exchanges such as ba Trao singing, Boi singing, and drilling games. In which, the most unique is the type of folk art of Cheo Ba Trao, each resident will put on unique costumes, participate in singing, singing, and singing, as well as movements that simulate the process of rowing on the shore, with the goal of recreating the scene of daily life of the fishermen. Let sing songs to replace Ca Ong's thanks, who has always been by his side to aid fishermen out of danger.
Furthermore, different festivals will be organized depending on the locality, but usually include two parts: folk games such as boat racing, tug of war, basket swing,... and cultural performances such as: Ba Trao dances and sings in the hope of a year of favorable rain and wind, full of fish and shrimp.
The Whale Festival displays the beauty of the Hoi An people's religious tradition. If you have the opportunity to visit Hoi An or take a Da Nang tour during the festival, you should plan ahead of time and try to join the fishing village inhabitants to experience the event's beauty and distinctiveness firsthand during the The Whale Festival.
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