Whale carcass found washed ashore on Ngư Island.

(Baonghean.vn) – A dead whale (commonly known as "Ông" fish by fishermen) washed ashore and was discovered and buried according to traditional customs by fishermen in Xuan Loc hamlet (Nghi Xuan commune, Nghi Loc district).

The whale, discovered by fishermen, weighed nearly 8kg. Photo: Thien Thien.

Accordingly, in the early morning of March 13th, fisherman Nguyen Van Cong and his wife Pham Thi Dung (Xuan Loc hamlet, Nghi Xuan commune) went fishing in the area around Ngu Island but didn't catch much. Around 8 a.m. that same day, Mr. Cong and his wife decided to go to Ngu Island to collect discarded cans left behind by tourists and came across a dead whale.

Fishermen in Xuan Loc hamlet gathered and respectfully buried the whale. Photo: Thien Thien.

According to Mr. Cong, the whale weighed about 8kg, its entire body was glossy black, and the skin on its head and tail had been peeled off, suggesting it had died a few days ago. Immediately, he and his wife returned to shore and asked everyone in the village to help bury the whale right on the beach in Xuan Loc hamlet. On the afternoon of March 13th, a large number of fishermen from Xuan Loc hamlet gathered to solemnly bury the whale.

Mr. and Mrs. Cong (wearing red mourning headscarves) will mourn the whale for two years according to the customs of the fishermen in the coastal region. Photo: Thien Thien.

In their 30 years at sea, this was the first time Mr. Cong and his wife had encountered a whale stranded on the shore.

According to the beliefs of the local fishermen, the Whale God is revered and considered a sea deity. The discovery of a stranded Whale God by fishermen in Xuan Loc is seen by them as a sign of good fortune for their fishing activities at sea and for the people of this region. Furthermore, the family of the person who discovers the stranded Whale God will mourn its death for two years.

Tian Tian