Whale Worshipping Ceremony performed in Sea Festival 2023

Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture and Sports on June 3 organized the performance of Whale Worshipping Ceremony as an activity of Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2023. Present at the event were Nguyen Tan Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Le Huu Tho, Head of the Provincial Department of Propaganda & Training; and over 360 artisans and fishermen of the wards of Vinh Truong and Vinh Nguyen and some other localities in Nha Trang City.
 

Nguyen Tan Tuan and Le Huu Tho attend the event

The groups of artisans and fishermen of Vinh Truong Ward and Vinh Nguyen Ward paraded from the north and the south of the city respectively towards the main stage at the beach park opposite Tue Tinh Street where they performed main ritual acts.

Whale Worshipping Ceremony originated from the religious belief in Ong Nam Hai (the Whale) of fishermen. In 2012, Khanh Hoa Province's Whale Worshipping Ceremony was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Participants marching in procession

A ritual dance

People singing Ba Trao while parading

A mock-up of fishing boat

 

Foreign taking photos of ritual procession

Ritual dance performed at the main stage opposite Tue Tinh Street

Nhan Tam
Translated by H.N