Rambling about the whale worship custom of coastal people

(Baonghean) - Along the Dien Chau coastline, many villages have temples or shrines to worship Whales. This is considered the most typical feature of the culture of the coastal residents of Dien Chau, passed down from generation to generation.

People of Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau) come to the Whale Temple at the end of the year.

According to the belief, when a whale dies and washes ashore, fishermen here consider it a good omen, a blessing, because this land was chosen by the fish god as a resting place, and the fish god trusted him with the burial. According to the experience of fishermen, every time a whale washes ashore, fishermen can fish smoothly and go out to sea safely.

Therefore, in the days approaching the new year, the 3 whale shrines on the coast of Dien Thinh (Dien Chau) were decorated, repaired, and repainted by the people to make them more respectful. Not only fishermen from Dien Thinh commune but also many fishermen in the district came here to display offerings of incense, candles, and fruits to worship the whale.

Mr. Pham Viet Long, a resident of Hamlet 2, Dien Thinh Commune, when coming to pay respects at the Whale Temple, shared: “Dien Thinh has had 4 whales washed ashore, of which 1 was rescued by the people and returned alive, and the 3 dead whales were carefully worshiped by a shrine. According to experience, every year when the Whale returns, the fishermen have a good harvest, so not only the fishermen in the area but also fishermen from all over Dien Chau come to burn incense and consider him a saint.”

People in Dien Ngoc commune today still tell each other sacred and mysterious stories about the whale with its omens and protection for people at sea like a legend in everyday life. In 1984, a local went out to sea and caught a rather large whale with Chinese characters and strange hair on its body. The fishermen brought it back and together with the locals built a temple to worship it.

The Fisherman Temple in Dien Ngoc Commune was built by fishermen, located right next to the mouth of Lach Van River overlooking the sea. And over time, the fishermen brought back more than a dozen whale skeletons to the temple. Then, before boarding a boat to go to sea, every person prepares offerings, offers incense sticks, and respectfully calls on the Guardian Gods, praying for the gods to help calm the sea and have a bountiful fishing season.

After returning, he bought offerings and went to the Whale Temple to express his gratitude. Coming to the Whale Temple on the last day of the year, fisherman Nguyen Van Chinh - Ngoc Van hamlet, Dien Ngoc commune said: At the end of the year, we often go to the Whale Temple to burn incense and pray for a successful year of business and a good catch.

The giant skeletons of the whale are still carefully preserved by the locals at the temple.

Dien Chau district has 6 whale temples and tombs spread across coastal communes, mainly concentrated in Dien Thinh, Dien Ngoc, Dien Bich, Dien Kim communes. Each place is associated with a story, historical value, and has a special place in the spiritual life and beliefs of the fishing community.

To show respect to the Whale, every year at the beginning of the new year, fishermen in the Dien Ngoc sea area solemnly and spiritually organize a fishing festival with the hope of praying for a new year of favorable weather, calm seas, smooth sailing, and high fishing productivity.

This is also an opportunity for people to encourage each other to stick to the sea, helping local people get closer to each other.

The custom of worshipping whales has shown the gratitude and desire for prosperity and peace of Dien Chau fishermen. The beautiful traditional activities in the spiritual and cultural life have made the joyful atmosphere of the Spring and Tet of the people in the coastal area of ​​Dien Chau more joyful and meaningful.

Mai Giang(Dien Chau Radio)