A ritual of Nghinh Ong Festival (Source: baobaclieu.vn) Bac Lieu (VNA) – More than 4,000 people took part in the annual Nghinh Ong (Whale Worship) Festival that fishermen in the Mekong province of Bac Lieu honour the giant marine mammals.
The three-day event ended on February 25 or the tenth day of the Lunar New Year at the Ong Duyen Hai Temple (Whale Temple) in Vinh Thinh commune, Hoa Binh district.
The festival featured many activities like parades on both land and sea in honour of the whale, rituals to pray for good weather and bumper catches, cultural events, dragon dances, and folk games.
The ninth day of the first lunar month, the festival’s main day, attracted 30 fishing boats carrying locals, visitors, dragons used in the dances, gongs and drums out to sea.
According to the oganisation board, following a boat accident killing two in the previous festival, Bac Lieu has asked agencies and locals to abide by the festival’s regulations and closely controlled the number of boats going out to sea during the festival.
Cau Ngu or Nghing Ong festival is a cultural identity of south central coastal localities, which has been preserved and passed down through generations. The festival is to pray for bumper hauls of fish, safe voyages and peace for the nation.
The localities organise the festival at different times, from the first month to the sixth month of lunar calenda. -VNA
VNA
