The Cau Ngu festival is a large festival that reflects the distinct cultural features of fishermen in Thua Thien Hue coastal areas. The festival takes place once every three years on the lunar day of January 12, attracting a large number of local residents and tourists.
This year, the festival was held in Thai Duong village, Thuan An ward, Hue with many traditional rituals as well as unique cultural, artistic and community sports. The locals celebrate the festival with the aim of praying for the peace and prosperity of the nation, favorable weather conditions, good health for the fishermen in the village, safe voyages and large hauls of fish.
On the night before the festival, various elaborate and solemn rituals and ceremonies are organized with different contents. These include remembering and showing gratitude for the founder's merits in opening the village and reminding the descendants to always cherish their roots.
After the rituals, the festival also features many unique and exciting community activities to promote solidarity among the villagers and encourage them to work hard in production.
At the communal house overlooking the Tam Giang estuary, the elderly residents of Thai Duong village, locals and tourists gather to enjoy various exciting performances that depict the daily lives of the fishermen, such as fishing, net casting, offshore fishing, and selling fish. Children dress up as shrimp, crabs, fish, squids, and other sea creatures.
All these things create a festive and lively atmosphere on the first days of a new year.
Cau Ngu Festival in Thai Duong Village
The communal house of Thai Duong village where the Cau Ngu festival’s rituals take place. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The ritual troupe at the festival. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The traditional instrumental team. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Head of the ritual troupe solemnly offers incense. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The offerings include a cow, goat and pig. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The rite of offering wine. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
All rituals are done traditionally. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The boat worshiping ceremony takes place from early morning. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
At sunrise, the elders of Thai Duong village gather in the communal house to perform the worshipping ceremony to the emperor. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The exciting atmosphere at the Thai Duong village’s festival after three years of the pandemic. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Thai Duong village’s elders attending the festival. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
A foreign visitor at the festival. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The healthy beauty of local fishermen. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
A performance telling about the history of the Thai Duong fishing village. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Reintroducing the sailing festival in the new year. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Children dressing up as shrimp, crab, fish and squid. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
A performance of fishing. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Going fishing. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Catching a large school of fish by net. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Boats are full of fish at the port. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Women are ready to buy lucky fish batches in the new year. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Venders selling fish in the village. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Venders selling fish in the village. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Venders selling fish in the village. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Venders selling fish in the village. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
By Thanh Hoa/VNP Translated by Nguyen Tuoi
