(Baonghean.vn) - The burial of whales has been carried out in various ways. It could be a whole burial, or the meat could be butchered and the skeleton buried separately. But all are done meticulously by the people because, according to their beliefs, whales, also known as "Ông" fish (meaning "Mr. Whale"), are the gods of the South Sea who always help and bless fishermen, ensuring their well-being and safety on every fishing trip.
 |
| In January 2004, local authorities in Montevideo, Uruguay, had to use excavators and cranes to move a giant sperm whale (a type of whale) measuring 16 meters long and weighing 25 tons to its burial site. A large crane was used to lift the enormous whale's carcass and place it onto a large truck. (Image: Internet) |
 |
| On February 22, 2010, fishermen in Bac Lieu brought a whale carcass weighing nearly 15 tons and measuring approximately 16 meters in length ashore about 26 nautical miles from the Cai Cung estuary in Vinh Thinh commune (Hoa Binh district, Bac Lieu province). The carcass was partially decomposed. Local authorities constructed an open-air tomb and displayed the whale's bones in a glass case for religious and tourism purposes. Photo: Tuoi Tre newspaper. |
 |
| On the morning of October 15, 2010, five fishing boats from Tien Thuy commune, Quynh Luu district, towed a whale carcass weighing tens of tons from the sea to the mainland. For environmental reasons, authorities butchered the whale on the beach, then burned and disposed of the meat. The bones were placed in sacks and transported by truck to Rong Mountain in Tien Thuy commune for burial. (Photo: Dan Viet) |
 |
| On July 3, 2011, fishermen from Dong Hai ward, Phan Rang - Thap Cham city, Ninh Thuan province, discovered the carcass of a whale over 12 meters long and weighing more than 8 tons, 60 nautical miles from the coast. According to local beliefs, the carcass was towed ashore and a solemn burial ceremony was held. (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper) |
 |
| In May 2013, a heavily injured whale washed ashore near Chan May port, in Loc Vinh commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province. The whale weighed approximately 600-700 kg, was nearly 10 meters long, jet black, and had a pointed, sword-like mouth. Fishermen identified it as a beaked whale. Due to its severe injuries, the whale died shortly after washing ashore. Locals then buried the unfortunate whale. (Image: Internet) |
 |
| In May 2015, a massive gray whale washed ashore on Playas de Tijuana beach in Tijuana, northwestern Mexico. The whale weighed 14 tons and measured 15 meters in length. Excavators and bulldozers were deployed to bury the enormous animal right on the beach. |
Ha Chi
(Synthetic)
