From March 23-25 (February 3-14 of the lunar calendar), in Song Doc town, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province, Nghinh Ong Festival takes place, of which the main ceremony is on February 16 of the lunar calendar. calendar.
Nghinh Ong Festival is associated with folk beliefs and the fish (whale) temple in Song Doc town. For people who work in the sea, they consider whales to be sacred animals. For example, the God of the Great General of the Nam Hai Army protects boats going out to sea to exploit aquatic products. When encountering strong waves and strong winds, he will support them. help. That's why most coastal fishing villages in Vietnam in general, and Song Doc in particular, build mausoleums to worship Ong fish.
Worshiping ritual at Ong Tomb in Song Doc. Photo: Ca Mau Newspaper
Nghinh Ong Song Doc Festival is the largest traditional folk festival in Ca Mau and is ranked among the 60 typical festivals in Vietnam. The festival was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in February 2.
According to the Organizing Committee, the Nghinh Ong Festival has very unique worship rituals, imbued with the cultural identity of indigenous fishermen, preserved, transmitted and promoted through festivals.
This year is the 99th time the festival has taken place since the first time the Fish Worshiping Mausoleum of Song Doc fishing village was built (in 1925).
The ceremony begins with the worshiping ritual, followed by the procession of carrying the Long Dinh from Van Lang Nam Hai with palace maids, men's and women's guilds and teams holding national flags, flags, jacks, drums, unicorns... in the same row. Thousands of people participated in the parade from Lang Ong to Song Doc Fishing Port before being taken to the ship to Nghinh Ong beach.
The procession passed through Song Doc town. Photo: Ca Mau Newspaper
This year, the Nghinh Ong Festival at sea has 6 fishing boats arranged by the Organizing Committee to transport Long Dinh, 150 fishing vehicles to escort and organize a fishing ceremony.
During the parade, among the large and small boats going out to sea, there is a main group of three ships forming a group, called a hydraulic ship, this ship is responsible for carrying the organizing committee, dignitaries, and students. ceremony…
When the boat reaches the clear water line, people carry out procedures to pray, burn incense and "ask for glue". When asking for "glue", the ship returned and brought jars of fresh sea water to Ong's mausoleum to worship.
At the festival, many activities are organized, creating a jubilant atmosphere, such as: basket swimming competition; folk game of catching ducks on the river; tug of war; lion dance performance; performing general art programs, exchanges between amateurs, and folk dance; Photo documentary exhibition "Hoang Sa and Truong Sa of Vietnam - Legal evidence"...
A fleet of boats decorated with flags, flowers, and colorful banners sail to Nghinh Ong beach. Photo: Ca Mau Newspaper
Nghinh Ong Song Doc Festival has the meaning of praying for favorable weather, calm weather, calm sea, and fishermen going to sea to win lots of fish and shrimp. Practicing this religious ritual also helps connect the community, tighten solidarity, and actively contribute to protecting, preserving and promoting the unique cultural values and folk beliefs of the region's people. Ca Mau beach.
T.Toan
