Long-standing cultural features
Cau Ngu Festival, a unique traditional custom, has long been an indispensable part of the cultural life of coastal people in Vietnam. The origin of this festival is probably deep in the past, passed down from generation to generation, becoming a part of the flesh and blood in the consciousness of the children of the sea.
This is a festival imbued with the beauty of folk culture, and is also an indispensable "spiritual food" in the cultural life and spiritual beliefs of fishermen - those who closely tie their lives to the vast ocean and the days of drifting and living off the abundant source of shrimp and fish.
Cau Ngu Festival is imbued with the beauty of folk culture.
In fact, Cau Ngu Festival has appeared since ancient times along with the custom of worshiping beliefs in the spiritual and cultural life of ancient Vietnamese people, especially fishermen who depend on the abundant fish and shrimp resources of the vast ocean.
For fishermen, Whale always holds a special place in their spiritual life.
For fishermen, Whale always occupies a special place in their spiritual life. This is originally a respectful and honorable name that fishermen use to call whales - a fish that often appears to help people in difficult times when drifting at sea, especially those who are attached to the sea all year round, always lurking with hidden dangers.
Fishing Festival in Da Nang
On February 17 (the 20th day of the first lunar month), people in Thanh Khe district, Da Nang enthusiastically celebrated this festival, with the wish for a year of "calm skies, smooth sailing, and a full hold of fish and shrimp".
The fishing festival is an annual activity organized by the District People's Committee to contribute to preserving the religious and traditional values of coastal people.
The Cau Ngu Festival - a national intangible cultural heritage - is organized by Da Nang fishermen with many rich activities, lasting from February 14. This is one of the unique and long-standing festivals of the people in the central coastal region, imbued with traditional culture and beliefs, associated with the worship of Whale - the guardian god of the sea of fishermen.
The flag dance ceremony at the fishing festival
The birth and development of Cau Ngu festival is deeply influenced by the natural conditions, economy, society and spiritual cultural history of the land. Thanh Khe sea area, with its long coastline and rich seafood resources, has created a unique maritime culture. Fishing is not only the source of livelihood for the people here, but also an indispensable part of their spiritual life. Cau Ngu festival is a vivid reflection of the daily life of fishermen in the fishing village, from fishing activities at sea to prayer rituals and entertainment.
Through activities that help strengthen community cohesion, at the same time help people understand more deeply the spiritual and cultural values and life of fishermen in coastal fishing villages.
Nowadays, although fishing in Thanh Khe fishing village still faces many difficulties, the fishing tradition of the fishermen and their spiritual and religious life are still maintained and promoted. This is the solid foundation for the Thanh Khe fishing festival to be held annually in this land of the wind and waves. The festival is not only an occasion for people to remember their roots, but also an occasion for them to pray for a new year of favorable weather, calm seas, and full holds of fish and shrimp.
Thanh Khe District Fishing Festival has been held since 1923 and has been maintained until now. According to ancient tradition, every "three years" (once every three years) the festival will be held most solemnly.
This year’s Cau Ngu Festival was held in a very solemn and bustling atmosphere, attracting the participation of a large number of local people and tourists from all over. From early morning, the festival atmosphere was everywhere, with colorful flags, bustling drums and gongs.
Cau Ngu Festival is the biggest festival of the year, praying for a good harvest, praying for fish, and worshiping the fish god.
The Nghinh Than ceremony was solemnly held, with the participation of dignitaries, village elders and a large number of people. The Nghinh Than group moved on splendidly decorated boats, bringing the gods to the main stage to perform the ceremony. In the solemn and respectful atmosphere of the Cau Ngu festival, the celebrant, with deep respect, performed traditional worship rituals. The prayers echoed, earnestly, conveying wishes for a year of calm seas and calm waves, so that Da Nang fishermen could have smooth sailing trips, full holds of fish and shrimp, bringing home a prosperous and happy life.
This is a traditional festival of coastal residents, expressing the wish for a year of "calm seas, favorable winds, and a full hold of fish and shrimp."
Immediately after the main ceremony, the ship’s whistle sounded, signaling the departure of the offshore fishing fleet. The sturdy ships, with the red flag with a yellow star fluttering on the mast, proudly set sail. Fishermen performed the departure ceremony, with faith and hope for a year of favorable weather and favorable seas.
The first boats set sail, demonstrating the fishermen's desire for the big sea
In addition to the ceremony, the festival part of Cau Ngu festival also takes place very vibrantly with many cultural and sports activities imbued with the folk character of the fishing village. Visitors can immerse themselves in the joyful and bustling atmosphere with folk games and unique performances, imbued with the cultural identity of the coastal region.
Not only the elderly, but also the children joined in the sacred atmosphere of the festival. The colorful paintings, funny and lovely drawings, expressed their wishes for a bright future for Da Nang fishermen. They wished their fathers and brothers to always be safe at sea, catch a lot of seafood, and contribute to protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
Aspirations of coastal children
The fishing festival of Da Nang fishermen was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016. Since then, the People's Committee of Thanh Khe District has raised the level of organizing the fishing festival to the district level, with a rich scale and form, becoming a typical cultural activity, indispensable in the spiritual life of the people.
Cau Ngu Festival contains many profound cultural values that need to be preserved and promoted. It is a spiritual and religious value, expressing gratitude to the sea and the gods, praying for a prosperous and happy life. It is a traditional historical value, marking the ups and downs of history, the constant efforts of the fishing community in conquering the sea and building a life. It is a cultural and artistic value, expressed through solemn rituals and recreational activities imbued with folk culture.
