The unique ceremony of welcoming the God of the South Sea.

On the morning of December 5th, at the Nam Hai Lai Son Shrine, the Department of Culture and Sports of An Giang province, in coordination with the People's Committee of Kien Hai Special Zone, organized the Ceremony of Welcoming the Deity, with the participation of a large number of local people and tourists.

Lai Son Island viewed from above.

Coastal residents believe that the whale is the reincarnation of the God of the South Sea, a benevolent deity who always helps fishermen overcome storms and rescues people in distress at sea.

When a whale washes ashore, the local people respectfully organize a solemn funeral and burial, erect a shrine to worship it, and it also serves as a place for cultural activities, community bonding, and remembrance of ancestors who contributed to protecting the sea and islands.

According to folk beliefs, the God of the South Sea is the deity who always blesses fishermen, ensuring safe voyages, abundant catches, and a prosperous and happy life. The Nghinh Than ceremony is an opportunity to preserve and promote the unique cultural traditions of the people of Kien Hai coastal and island region, while also praying for the prosperity of the villages and peace and security of the nation.

The sound of drums resounds, signaling the sacred moment of the Nghinh Than ceremony.

Mr. Truong Van Duoc, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Nam Hai Mausoleum Historical and Cultural Relics, said that the Nghinh Than ceremony is one of the important ceremonies at the Nam Hai Mausoleum in Lai Son. The program begins with the majestic sound of drums, signaling the sacred moment of the ceremony. This is followed by a dance performance in honor of the Nam Hai God.

Following the reading of the eulogy, performed by the Chief Priest and Assistant Priest of the Lai Son Island Shrine, the special administrative region's authorities, residents, and tourists lit incense to the God of the South Sea and commemorated their ancestors – the pioneers who contributed to the establishment and development of the Lai Son island craft village.

The procession to welcome the deity is solemn and dignified, led by a lion and dragon dance troupe, followed by students, militia, ceremonial student teams, the sacrificial committee, the palanquin carrying the deity, elders, local government leaders, and the general public and tourists.

The divine palanquin was carried aboard a ship to the sea for the ceremony.

At Nghinh Ong Wharf, the deity's palanquin will be carried onto the Nghinh boat, leading a large procession of fishermen. Upon reaching the Nghinh Than offshore point, the chief priest will offer sacrifices and recite traditional prayers for peace. The ritual of releasing flowers and offerings into the sea symbolizes a prayer for peace and a bountiful harvest. Dozens of fishing boats from Lai Son and surrounding areas participate in the Nghinh Ong procession.

The Sea God Welcome Ceremony is unique because of the ritual of inviting the deity out to sea, with the participation of boats decorated with colorful flags and banners, along with offerings expressing the aspiration for peace, favorable weather, and a bountiful harvest of shrimp and fish.

This is a unique folk belief of fishermen, combining spiritual and traditional cultural elements, attracting both locals and tourists. Attending the Nghinh Than ceremony on Lai Son Island for the first time, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Hai, a tourist from Chau Doc ward, shared: “I was very impressed with the unique rituals, deeply rooted in the traditional customs of the people of this coastal region, especially the beautiful sight of the boats sailing out to sea together to perform the ceremony…”

The Ceremony of Welcoming the Deity at Sea.

According to Chau Hung Ky, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Kien Hai Special Zone, over the two days (December 4th and 5th, corresponding to the 15th and 16th of the 10th lunar month), the Nghinh Ong Lai Son Festival in Kien Hai Special Zone took place in a solemn and respectful atmosphere, leaving a beautiful impression on the people and tourists from near and far.

Over the centuries, the Nghinh Ong Lai Son Festival has become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the local people, a representative festival not only of the people of Lai Son, but also of the entire western coastal region of An Giang province.

Beyond its profound religious significance, the Nghinh Ong Lai Son Festival is also an important cultural and tourism highlight, contributing to promoting the image of the people and coastal areas of An Giang to tourists near and far, boosting local economic and tourism development, and making An Giang an increasingly attractive destination in the Mekong Delta.

LOYALTY

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doc-dao-le-nghinh-than-nam-hai-a469385.html