Special features of the fishing festival in Ky Anh town

On the morning of April 6 (ie March 9 of the lunar calendar), people in the coastal fishing village of Ky Ninh ward held a fishing ceremony at Ngu temple (in Tam Hai 2 residential area, Ky Ninh ward, Ky Anh town).

Cau Ngu, also known as the season-praying ceremony - the fish god worship ceremony, is the most important ceremony of the year, associated with the meaning of praying for a year of "calm skies and calm seas, full holds of fish and shrimp". The Cau Ngu ceremony represents the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source", an occasion for fishermen to thank the sea gods and strengthen solidarity. In the photo: Ngu temple grounds in Tam Hai 2 residential area, Ky Ninh ward.

According to local custom, every year in the third lunar month, the village elders will choose the most auspicious day of the month to hold a fishing ceremony. The villagers will choose a celebrant who is virtuous, has many children and a prosperous business. After the ceremony in the temple, the celebrant will go to the sea with the elders to perform the ritual of bringing water to the sea gate. In the photo: Fishermen performing the ceremony of bringing water to the Ngu temple.

The fishing ceremony of the fishermen of Ky Ninh ward is held at 4 worshiping locations. The first location is the temple of Che Thang phu nhan Nguyen Thi Bich Chau, followed by Sat Hai temple (at the foot of Cao Vong mountain, Ky Ninh), the worshiping ceremony is held offshore a few nautical miles from the shore and finally the big ceremony is held at Ngu temple. All the ceremonies take place from early morning until noon.

Fishermen bring offerings to the sea gods to pray for calm seas, a good catch of seafood, and safety for people and vehicles on each trip out to sea...

Offerings are arranged in a way that closely resembles the culture of coastal fishermen. This is an opportunity for people to encourage each other to stick to the sea, creating a spirit of going out to sea to catch seafood.

According to legend, the Ngu temple in the old Tam Dong village (now Tam Hai 2 residential area, Ky Ninh ward, Ky Anh town) was built hundreds of years ago. This is the burial place of whales that drifted into the Ky Ninh sea for many years, and is a place to worship the gods who guard the sea. The temple is located facing the sea gate with a quite unique architecture.

The third lunar month was chosen for the ceremony because this is the time after the Qingming festival, when the sky and sea are most peaceful, suitable for the ceremony.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/dac-sac-le-cau-ngu-o-thi-xa-ky-anh-post285512.html