Phu Yen Online - Great joy of fishermen in An Hoa Hai sea area

The Ganh Da - Lang Hoi Son and Lang Phu Thuong complexes were ranked as provincial-level historical and cultural relics, raising the total number of provincial-level relics in Tuy An district to 23, contributing to enriching the cultural heritage treasure of this locality. This is a great joy for the Party Committee, government and people of Tuy An district in general, and fishermen of Hoi Son and Phu Thuong fishing villages (An Hoa Hai commune) in particular.

Phu Thuong and Hoi Son are administrative units that were formed long ago. According to the Nguyen Dynasty's Land Register established in the 14th-15th years of Gia Long (1815-1816), when it was first established, Phu Thuong was called An Thanh Tan Lap village, while Hoi Son was called Loc Son village, belonging to Ha Bac of Dong Xuan district. In 1832, An Thanh Tan Lap village was changed to Phu Thuong; Loc Son village was changed to Hoi Son village, belonging to Xuan Vinh commune, Dong Xuan district, and in 1899 it belonged to Xuan Vinh commune, Tuy An prefecture. Before 1946, these two villages belonged to An My commune; since 1955 they belonged to An Hoa commune (now An Hoa Hai), Tuy An district.

A place to preserve traditional cultural values

The Ganh Da - Lang Hoi Son complex is located along the coast, also known as Ganh Hon Da Mui. The Ganh Da consists of basalt blocks formed by volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago, with a gradually decreasing height from the mainland extending towards the sea, running in an east-west direction, starting from the west of Hoi Son village (An Hoa Hai commune) extending to Ba Temple of Giai Son village (An My commune). The structure of the blocks of rock has different sizes, many colors such as brown, dark black, cut by a system of cracks.

Hoi Son Tomb was built around the mid-19th century under the reign of King Tu Duc, where fishermen of this coastal village practiced the whale worship, associated with the Cau Ngu festival. During its existence, Hoi Son Tomb was restored in the 80s of the 20th century.

Phu Thuong mausoleum was built during the Gia Long period (1802-1820). At first, it was just a small temple, roofed with thatch, the earthen walls were plastered with lime walls, then gradually covered with scale tiles, and then destroyed by war bombs. After the country was unified (April 1975), the people restored and repaired the mausoleum as it is today. In addition to its worship function, during the resistance war against colonialists and imperialists, next to Phu Thuong mausoleum to the east, there is Ba cave, which was a shelter for the An Hoa commune working team and revolutionary forces when the enemy swept in.

Like fishermen in coastal areas across the country, in the minds of fishermen in this coastal area, the whale is the incarnation of a god, often helping people in distress at sea. Therefore, when the whale is in distress, fishermen organize a very thoughtful funeral and worship. They believe that the fishing village where the whale is in distress will have a good harvest of shrimp and fish and good luck in the year. The whale was also given the title "Nam Hai Cu Toc Ngoc Lan Ton Than" by the Nguyen Dynasty kings. According to the book Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi, "the whale is called Duc Ngu, with a charitable nature and often helps people crossing the sea in distress. At the beginning of the Minh Mang reign, the king named it Nhan Ngu, at the beginning of the Tu Duc reign, it was called Duc Ngu"...

It has become a tradition that every year in the fourth lunar month, fishermen in Hoi Son - Phu Thuong organize the Cau Ngu festival. The ceremony includes rituals such as: welcoming the god's decree, welcoming the Lady, inviting the gods, worshiping the gods, opening the show, worshiping the ghosts and wandering souls. The festival begins with singing (hat lang) with plays honoring the merits of the whale and folk games. The worship of the whale and the organization of the Cau Ngu festival by coastal residents contain many profound humanistic values, guiding people to the good things in life. It is the idea of respecting and living in harmony with nature - where for generations, people have had to both fight and rely on to find a way to survive and develop sustainably. This belief also reflects the morality of "When drinking water, remember the source", remembering the merits of the whale who have saved fishermen at sea many times, remembering the tutelary gods and ancestors who have contributed to establishing the village and the profession. The whale worship of coastal fishermen in Phu Yen has been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Not only valuable in terms of landscape and traditional cultural values, the Ganh Da - Lang Hoi Son complex also has scientific values in terms of geology and geomorphology... This is a potential for developing marine tourism, contributing to promoting socio -economic development in Tuy An in particular and Phu Yen in general.

The procession of the Lady at the Cau Ngu festival at Phu Thuong mausoleum. Photo: THIEN LY

Join hands to preserve and promote the value of relics

Ms. Le Thi Kim Chi, a resident of Hoi Son village, said: “Although Hoi Son Rock is not yet known to many people, it is a beautiful landscape, considered by the locals as a treasure bestowed by nature. Located near the rock is a whale shrine, which was established when the village was founded. To preserve the relics left by our ancestors, the people here are united, love each other and have a responsibility to care for, preserve and promote them.”

Mr. Duong Cap, an elder in Phu Thuong fishing village, said: “Phu Thuong is an ancient village. Since the village was established, Phu Thuong Tomb was also built to worship the God of the South Sea with the hope that the God would bless the fishermen, bring favorable weather and good harvests, and provide a prosperous harvest. In addition to worshiping the God of the South Sea, during the resistance war against the French and the American invaders, Phu Thuong Tomb was also a place to hide revolutionary cadres. Therefore, Phu Thuong Tomb has always been carefully cared for and worshiped by our descendants. The villagers have elected a committee to look after, preserve and maintain the annual worship. The members of the committee are experienced in the fishing profession, dedicated, and always united to preserve the relics left by their ancestors.”

According to Mr. Bui Sinh Nhat, Chairman of the People's Committee of An Hoa Hai Commune, in order to preserve and promote the value of historical and cultural relics, in the coming time, the locality will strengthen propaganda and introduction so that cadres, party members and people can clearly understand and raise their sense of responsibility for protecting and promoting the value of this historical and cultural relic. In addition, the locality will coordinate with relevant agencies to develop a project to restore, preserve and enhance the value of the relic and the landscape and environment of the relic. At the same time, strengthen state management of historical relics, resolutely handle violations of relics, and prevent encroachment of relics.

“The locality will create the most favorable conditions for agencies and scientists to conduct further research on the value of this relic complex; organize the masses to participate in cultural heritage protection activities, and educate the younger generation to understand and promote the value of local cultural heritage,” said Mr. Nhat.

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