In Da Nang, conservation activities are taken into account by the local authorities at all levels and local dwellers holding the desire to keep a healthy space for cultural and religious activities in combination with the education of traditional features, serving the development of tourism and services in the coming time. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the importance of cultural heritage to the lives of Da Nang people.

The scene of the Whale Worshipping Festival in Thanh Khe District. Photo taken in 2015 by Huynh Ba Truyen

In the villages that run along the coast of Da Nang such as Nam O, Man Thai, Nam Tho or Phuoc My, there are still old fishers who are concerned about preserving the folklore of the sea. They believe temples worshipping sea and village gods, whale worship will help fishermen make bumper catches as well as enjoy a full and peaceful life.

The old fisherman's deep concern over the coastal village's existence

Fisherman Tran Ngoc Vinh, a resident of Nam O village, Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District has more than 40 years of experience in seafaring and 10 years in the role of Head of the organizing committee of Nam O village's Whale Worshipping Festival is focusing on preserving the culture and folk beliefs of the sea because spiritual culture brings great spiritual strength to help fishermen confidently head out to the ocean for fishing.

The Nam O fishing village still houses numerous relics and shrines associated with the people's religious life. Perhaps that's why people held a party to celebrate when the city authorities agreed to keep the Whale Worship Temple as well as the shrines in the process of adjusting the planning of the Nam O eco-tourism area in 2018.

Previously, the project of Preserving and promoting the value of historical-cultural relics in Lien Chieu District for the 2015-2022 term also emphasized the necessity to preserve the cultural and spiritual values of the sea, including a cluster of spiritual relics of Nam O village such as the Nam O village communal house, Whale Temple, a worship place dedicated to the souls of the fallen Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers in their struggle against the French forces in the years of 1858, 1859, and 1862, plus a temple dedicated to Goddess Lieu Hanh, one of four immortals in Vietnamese legends and the Lang hundreds-year-old mysterious square well.

“Currently, Nam O villagers aspire that the competent authorities will pay attention to restoring and preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritages associated with the life of fishermen so that the picture of marine culture can not fade away in the process of urbanization ", Mr. Vinh wishes.

The old fisherman Phan Van Minh, residing in Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District said that the form of worship at sea has many similarities with the farmer's shepherding ritual. The sacrifices of the people in the sea are quite rich and diverse. Besides the fishing festival, fishermen also have many rituals associated with the boat building process, and other rituals related to fishing.

Thanks to many years as the host of the fishing festival, Mr. Phan Van Minh was trusted by the authorities of Nai Hien Dong Ward to write the folk song script named ‘Spirit of the sea’ to serve the fishing festival in Nai Hien Dong Ward at Ong Tomb in the upcoming time. ‘Spirit of the sea’ both tells the story of being blessed by the gods when going fishing in the sea while advising fishermen to exploit and protect aquatic resources to live happily ever after.

"I hope that putting folk religious values on the stage will help people better understand the rituals and customs of the sea, thereby giving love and joining hands to preserve those values" Mr Minh shared.

Mr Tran Chuan, Head of Education - Communication Department, Danang Museum, introduced to visitors the gourd boat associated with the life of Da Nang fishermen. Photo: T.Y

Da Nang Museum boosts the preservation of marine folklore

Da Nang Museum has dedicated a solemn corner to display related artifacts and documents in order to contribute to preserving the culture of coastal residents. In which, the model of the gourd boat - a characteristic of Quang Nam Province in particular and of the marine inhabitants of the South Central region in general, is an important highlight in the artifacts displayed at the museum.

“We regularly introduce visitors to the cultural history and traditions of Da Nang fishermen in the process of our city’s building and developing. The museum also dedicates space to display all kinds of fishing gear, from rudimentary to modern ones, so that visitors can easily imagine the process of catching seafood," Mr Chuan said.

After its establishment in 2011, Da Nang Museum also recreated the space of the whale worshipping festival, which usually takes place on the 25^th and 26^th day of the first lunar month in Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District, helping to preserve a part of the traditional religious culture of the locals here.

In addition, with the aim of serving the implementation of the project on Conservation and promotion of the value of national cultural heritage in Da Nang for the 2021-2025 term, the Da Nang cultural sector has evaluated the entire status of the organization of the fishing festival in the localities where there is an institution of worshipping the the Nam Hai (Whale Saint) and held a ceremony to honour 'Da Nang Fishing Festival', one of the national intangible cultural heritages.

Reporting by TIEU YEN- Translating by T.VY