A crowd of almost 700 fishermen in traditional costumes praying for agood fishing harvest on June 14 aroused the curiosity of visitors to asea festival in Nha Trang Coastal Park, Khanh Hoa province.
The event originated when a dead whale drifted onshore near a coastalvillage. The prayer used to taking place at the temple built for thegiant fish in an expectation that it would bring a bountiful fishharvest.
The event strictly followed the originalrituals, which began with a two-phase procession to welcome the whale,which locals respectfully call “His High Excellency”. The first phasewas a worshipping ceremony at sea and the second was a procession tobring the soul of “His High Excellency” to the temple dedicated to him.
The rituals culminated in a chanting festival wherefolk chants vividly painted a picture of an occupation full of risks anddangers for fishermen.
The event was part of theongoing Nha Trang Sea Destination festival 2011, which was colourfulwith numerous festivities such as a bicycle taxi parade, kite flying anda dancing festival./.