Death Anniversary of the Ancestor of the Cu Lao Cham Bird's Nest Profession: Paying Gratitude to the Ancestor of the Profession

On April 6 and 7, 2025 (the 9th and 10th of the third lunar month), the death anniversary of the bird's nest profession took place in Hoi An city - a traditional ceremony with strong cultural imprints, closely associated with the life of the local community.

According to tradition, the death anniversary of the founder of the Hoi An bird's nest profession is held on 2 days (the 9th and 10th of the 3rd lunar month).

The death anniversary ceremony, led by the Cu Lao Cham Bird Nest Management and Exploitation Board, is a special religious ceremony, imbued with the identity of the residents who exploit birds' nests in Hoi An city. This is an opportunity for the community to pay tribute to the ancestors who developed and taught the profession of exploiting birds' nests - a traditional profession that has existed for hundreds of years in this land.

The death anniversary took place in a solemn and respectful atmosphere.

The death anniversary ceremony took place in a solemn and respectful atmosphere. On the 9th day of the 3rd lunar month, people organized a procession, prepared offerings including local products, and performed a toc ceremony - a ritual to invite the gods to witness at the temple of Mr. Tien (Thanh Dong village, Cam Thanh commune). On the morning of the 10th, the rituals continued at the temple of the founder of the bird's nest profession in Bai Huong village, Cu Lao Cham island, with traditional ceremonies such as welcoming the gods, offering incense, chanting, and reading the ancestral eulogy. The bird's nest professionals wore traditional ao dai, holding offerings in their hands, respectfully entering the temple to the sound of gongs, drums and solemn ancient music. Everyone offered incense together, expressed their gratitude and prayed that the bird's nest profession would be preserved and developed forever.

The death anniversary of the bird’s nest profession is not only a folk belief activity but also an occasion to unite the community, demonstrate the morality of “remembering the source of water when drinking water”, and at the same time affirm the role of the bird’s nest profession in the economic and cultural life of the people here. Despite the passage of time, the ritual is still preserved intact, a living testament to the enduring vitality of a profession closely linked to nature, rocky mountains, the sea and the sky, and the bird’s nest.

Duong Oanh - Tan Chau - Quoc Thanh

Source: https://qrt.vn/van-hoa-van-nghe/gio-to-nghe-yen-cu-lao-cham-tri-an-to-nghe-giu-gin-nghe-truyen-thong/