Whale-worshipping festival recognised as National Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Nhuong Ban whale-worshipping festival in the central province of Ha Tinh has been recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

On May 8, a ceremony to acknowledge the Nhuong Ban whale-worshipping festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage was held in Cam Nhuong Commune, Cam Xuyen District.

 

The Nhuong Ban whale-worshipping festival

The festival has a history dating back to at least the Nguyen Dynasty. The event is held on the 7-8th of the fourth lunar month.

It is aimed to commemorate the whale. For Vietnamese fishermen, the whale is seen as a guardian angel for their voyage. When finding a dead whale, people in Hung Thanh Village believe the animal is ready for its permanent rest and hold a burial ceremonies for them.

The festival often attracts a large number of visitors every year.

Cam Nhuong Commune is home to a special cemetery which is the final resting place for more than 100 whales. When a whale is found dead, local residents bring it to the cemetery for burial.