Whale worshipping festival in Song Doc recognized as national intangible heritage

Representatives of Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Ca Mau Province handing-over the certificate to representatives of the festival.

The Ca Mau Provincial Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism in collaboration with the Tran Van Thoi District People's Committee on March 26 held a ceremony to announce the decision on the recognition of Nghinh Ong (Whale Worshiping) festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Whale worshipping in Song Doc is a typical festival of Ca Mau province which was crystallized over generations. As usual, this annual festival is  celebrated on the 13th-15th days of the second lunar month with a series of activities including various rituals to worship the Lord Whale or Ca Ong, and prayers for good seas, happiness and prosperity. 

Fishermen believe whales are sacred and bring them luck, a better fishing season and rescue them if they are in danger at sea. To Vietnamese fishermen, especially on the central and southern coasts, the whale is worshiped as Ca Ong, or "Lord Whale", who protects them at sea.

According to the Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Ca Mau Province, the origins of the festival is traced back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. Lord Whale that is worshiped in the Lang Ong Nam Hai Whale Temple was conferred the titled of Nam Hai Dai Tuong Quan (Great General of the South Sea) by the Nguyen Dynasty.

This year’s event was organized under strict preventive measures against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.