The season of welcoming the whale in Thang Tam

Every August of the lunar calendar, in Vung Tau, the sound of waves resonates with the drumbeat of the Nghinh Ong Thang Tam festival. Not only is it a sacred religious ritual of fishermen, the festival is also a symphony of gratitude to the ocean, expressing faith and aspiration to go out to sea.

On the 16th day of the 8th lunar month, the main day of the Thang Tam Whale Festival, before dawn, groups of young men, women, and old people gathered along the shore of Bai Truoc, in neat long dresses and turbans, with five-colored flags fluttering in the early morning wind. The elders, those respected by the community, boarded the ceremonial boats leading the way, carrying tablets, incense altars, and offerings. Following them were dozens of small boats following each other, with fresh flowers, fluttering strings, and red flags with yellow stars and five-colored flags as brilliant as a long silk strip stretching across the waves.

Young generation participates in the procession of the Whale Festival, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage

At the moment when the drums and gongs resounded, the boat group departed from Bai Truoc towards Bai Sau area. The “Whale” tablet was solemnly arranged on the main ceremonial boat, carrying wishes for peace and a favorable fishing season for fishermen. Local leaders and fishermen on the ceremonial boat burned incense and prayed. When the Whale welcoming ceremony was completed, the group returned to shore and gathered at Bai Truoc park.

According to the legend of fishermen, whenever they go out to sea and encounter storms or imminent danger, the whale will appear to guide the boat, helping it avoid the storm and reach shore. Since then, fishermen believe that the whale will always watch over and protect them. The Whale Festival is an opportunity for people to express the morality of "remembering the source of water when drinking water", not only for the whale but also for their ancestors, for those who have fallen for the sea. The ritual of remembering heroic martyrs and worshiping the ancestors is filled with solemn emotions, reminding today's generation to continue the tradition of living in harmony with nature and the community.

After the solemn ceremony comes the colorful festival. The activities are familiar but always attractive: lion - unicorn - dragon dance, Tuong performance, Hat Boi, Ba Trao singing, folk games (such as net weaving, carrying fish, tug of war, boat racing, swimming in the sea). In recent years, the festival has also had activities related to the sea, such as open swimming, sand competitions, marine craft exhibitions, seafood cuisine ... attracting a large number of participants, contributing significantly to the development of cultural tourism in the locality.

In the flow of integration, many traditional festivals are at risk of fading away, but the Nghinh Ong Thang Tam festival still maintains its vitality, thanks to the consensus of the fishing community and the attention of the government. In 2023, this festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, contributing to promoting and introducing the cultural beauty of the locality, attracting domestic and foreign tourists to participate, creating potential for sustainable tourism development in Ho Chi Minh City.

Amidst the colorful flags and the bustling sound of drums, the young faces, the next generation of coastal fishermen, are following in the footsteps of their ancestors, preserving the ancient spirit in each Whale Greeting ritual. They have become storytellers of the sea, quietly continuing the faith and gratitude of many generations of fishermen.

TRUC GIANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/mua-nghinh-ong-thang-tam-post817599.html