Cam Lam Village Fishing Festival is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Specifically, according to Decision No. 389/QD-BVHTTDL dated February 21, 2024 signed by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, the Traditional Festival, Social Customs and Beliefs of Cam Lam Village Fishing Festival, Xuan Lien Commune, Nghi Xuan District, Ha Tinh were included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Previously, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province built a scientific dossier to submit to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration and recognition of the Cam Lam Village Fishing Festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

After the ceremony, people carry the fish god to the sea to pray for a new year of favorable weather and a bountiful fishing season.

The custom of worshipping Whale in Cam Lam village - Xuan Lien commune occupies a particularly important position in the spiritual life of the people here. A custom deeply rooted in cultural life to express the gratitude of fishermen to Whale, at the same time is an opportunity for them to pray, send their hopes for a year of smooth sailing, favorable and peaceful with boat holds full of heavenly blessings.

According to historical records, in 1953, Cam Lam village organized a ceremony to welcome the Holy Gods (the village's tutelary god and the Fisherman). Although time has changed and the Fishing Festival has gradually faded away, on the 15th and 1st of every month, fishermen in Cam Lam village still have absolute spiritual faith and belief in the Fisherman. Up to now, Cam Lam village continues to maintain the Fishing Festival but each year has a different ritual.

Cam Lam Village's fishing festival is organized in a methodical and attractive manner, becoming a festival imbued with traditional cultural beliefs and spiritual culture in the countryside here.

Dong Hai Temple is located in Lam Hai Hoa village, Xuan Lien commune (formerly Cam Lam village). Cam Lam village was founded by three men, Tran Canh, Le Cong Toan and Nguyen Nhu Tien (some books record him as Mr. Nguyen Nhat Tan), who asked for a deserted sandy beach and then gathered people to establish a hamlet. From a barren land, it has now become a bustling fishing area.

The sea fishing profession is associated with the long-standing customs of the coastal countryside. One morning, Cam Lam people saw a whale skeleton drifting ashore on the village sandbank. Because whales are considered divine fish (fish gods), they often help fishermen when they are in trouble. There have been many thrilling stories told. For example, whales help lift boats and push them closer to shore to save people in trouble; when people are drifting at sea, whales lift them and carry them closer to shore, then choose the waves to release the boat, release the person so that the waves can push them onto the sandbank... Those acts of kindness are compared by people to whales as gods, people in this area call them the God of the East Sea.

Boat running ceremony in the fishing festival.

When the whale bones washed ashore, the locals held a funeral ceremony and buried them as carefully as if they were human. The fishermen also set up an altar; at first it was a simple altar, but when the life of the coastal people became more prosperous, they built a very solemn temple. This temple was later granted the title of the god of the East Sea by a King: "The current ruler of the sea route, the fisherman of the calendar year, the spirit of the three dynasties, the title of the most sacred and sacred god ". The temple is located in the northeast, on an area of ​​nearly 2000m2, the structure is shaped like the letter T, looking very majestic and solemn.

In the middle of the temple is a whale tomb covered with black marble (there are 17 whale tombs buried behind the two outer walls of the main hall). Inside is a built altar, on which are placed a set of 3 wooden thrones with gilded lacquer tablets, an incense bowl and other common worship items. Dong Hai Temple, Xuan Lien Commune has 4 royal decrees, and in 2017 was ranked as a provincial-level Historical - Cultural Relic.

Many people enthusiastically participated in the festival.

According to Mr. Dinh Trong Lien, Head of Cam Lam Village, the Cau Ngu Festival in Cam Lam has existed for hundreds of years. The custom of worshipping the Whale God of the local people is also closely linked to the worship of the village's tutelary god. During the day, the ceremony is held, after the ceremony, traditional folk games and sports are organized; at night, singing is organized, which is very fun and lasts every night. Cam Lam has had the Kieu Tro Club for a long time, and in recent years, other folk art forms have also been developed such as Vi and Giam folk songs of Nghe Tinh. The Cau Ngu Festival is held at Dong Hai Temple (the temple with the tombs of the Fishermen).

On the day of the Cau Ngu Festival, fishermen will solemnly and respectfully organize all traditional rituals, welcoming the gods, carrying the royal decree, reading the funeral oration, etc. The royal decree carrying ceremony is the opening part of the Cau Ngu Festival (starting from Ong's tomb, which is Dong Hai temple).

After this part, fishermen will continue to perform the water welcoming ceremony and the ceremony to welcome the spirit of the Dong Hai God. During the ceremony, members of the ritual committee are assigned by the Organizing Committee to perform traditional rituals at the Upper Hall, Middle Hall and Lower Hall. Offerings include local specialties, incense and flowers. After presenting the offerings, the celebrant will read the blessing and funeral oration.

Dong Hai Temple (Ca Ong Temple) located in Lam Hai Hoa village is the place to worship Dong Hai Dai Vuong, also known as the fish god.

Before and after the end of the praying ceremony, the festival part of the Cau Ngu Festival will begin with a series of folk games and folk performances such as the Kieu game and Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam folk songs.

In addition, people also organize exciting sports activities such as boat racing, stilt walking, tug of war, traditional martial arts, etc. All these activities create a festive atmosphere that is both solemn but also very vibrant and interesting.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/le-hoi-cau-ngu-lang-cam-lam-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-post285312.html