Whale washed ashore in Da Nang, fishermen reveal spiritual details, 1 chilling detail!

On the evening of October 29, amid heavy rain caused by the storm, the carcass of a 3-4 meter long whale suddenly drifted ashore in Da Nang. Local fishermen held a solemn incense-burning and burial ceremony, revealing a spiritual concept about this fish species.

A special and sacred phenomenon occurred at Da Nang beach for fishermen in the Central region: a whale carcass drifted ashore. Border guards and local authorities quickly arrived and blocked off the area to ensure safety and environmental sanitation. However, in the middle of a stormy night, a touching scene occurred: many local people still went to the beach to burn incense around the whale carcass, calling it "Mr. Lie Bo" - a familiar and important ritual of coastal people in Vietnam.

"Mr. Lying on the Bank": A sacred omen protecting the fishing village

The appearance of a whale washed ashore, even if the body is slightly decomposed and shows signs of drifting from afar, is still considered a sacred omen by coastal people.

Fisherman Duong Ngoc An (Ca Mau), who has been at sea for more than 40 years, shared his deep belief: "When Ong washed ashore, we fishermen considered it a sacred omen. He chose this place to rest, meaning he would bless the fishing village with peace and good harvests. Therefore, we must burn incense and perform a thoughtful ceremony."

Since ancient times, Vietnamese coastal people have believed in Whale – the god of the South Sea, the god who protects ships through storms. When a Whale drifts ashore, the "nghinh Ong luy" ritual will be held: Fishermen set up tents, burn incense, invite a shaman to perform a prayer ceremony, then bring the body to "Lang Ong" for burial. In many regions such as Binh Thuan or Quang Ngai, this ritual lasts for three days and three nights, considered a funeral for the god of the sea.

According to Heritage Vietnam Airlines Magazine, the whale image also represents the kindness, wisdom and power of the ocean. "He has blessed me for many years, now that he has passed away, I must send him off properly. Burning incense and making offerings is a way to say thank you," Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, a fisherman from Binh Thuan, shared with Tien Phong.

Scientific and religious perspectives: Two non-opposing aspects

From a practical scientific perspective, experts from the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography believe that whale strandings are often related to natural causes or environmental changes. Fish can lose sonar orientation due to noise from ships, age, disease, or drift after being lost at sea. During floods, when winds and large waves change the flow, dead fish can easily be washed ashore, as in the case in Da Nang.

However, these two perspectives are not contradictory. Faith helps people transform anxiety into gratitude and hope, while science helps explain natural phenomena. Burning incense around the whale’s body is a ritual of reconciliation between humans and nature – a way to calm the spirit and show gratitude to the ocean.

Profound cultural symbol: National intangible heritage

Not only a religious phenomenon, Whale is also a profound cultural symbol in the lives of Vietnamese fishermen. In many coastal provinces from the Central to the South, people have built Ong temples to worship him, considering him as a guardian deity. The "whale cemeteries" in Quang Nam or Ca Mau have dozens of whale graves - where people burn incense all year round.

In large fishing villages such as Ly Son, Phan Thiet or Can Gio, the Nghinh Ong festival is celebrated with great fanfare every year. The boat procession and the Nam Hai worship ceremony are the most sacred parts. People believe that this festival not only prays for good harvests and peace, but also unites the fishing community and creates spiritual strength to overcome the storms of life.