Following the approval by the Da Nang administraion, the ‘Cau Ngu’ Fish Worshipping Festival, one of the most important events in the cultural and spiritual lives of fishermen, associated with the traditional whale worshipping ritual in the past, will take place from February 24 - 27 at Whale Temple, Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District.

The annual Fish Worshiping Festival is considered an important traditional event for coastal fishermen and can be upgraded to one of the most typical festival in Da Nang. Here is a scene from the Son Tra District Fish Worshiping Festival held in February, 2019. Photo: NGOC HA

The organisation of such a much-awaited annual event aims to create a highlight of local cultural activities - festivals and attract tourists as well, thus serving the local economic development.

This year’s event will feature certain solemn traditional ceremonies and exciting folk games.

The ceremonies included a procession of the Whale Saint who protects fishermen at sea and traditional rituals to honour ancestors and to pray for peace and prosperity throughout the year, all of which showcase the local cultural identity.

Also, there will be the launch of this year’s offshore fishing campaign.

Besides rituals, the festival will treat both locals and visitors with cultural and artistic activities.

Notable among them are ‘bai choi’ (singing while acting as playing cards) - resound chants of the Quang Region and ‘ba trao’ (dancing and singing local traditional folk songs) to honour the merits and virtues of the whale, and to show the local fishermen's strong desire for peaceful offshore fishing trips, with bumper catches.

In addition, various exciting competitions will be held at the event, including fishing net knitting, tug-of-war, and a coracle race, and soccer and beach volleyball tournaments.

Reporting by THIEN DUYEN – Translating by A.THU