Within just five days, two whales washed ashore in Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province. Despite the efforts of local fishermen to return the whales to the sea, both incidents ended in failure, and traditional burial ceremonies were held according to local customs.

On May 12, Nguyen Quang Vu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Hai Commune (Binh Son District, Quang Ngai), confirmed that a whale had recently washed ashore in the area.

Earlier that morning, while preparing for a fishing trip, a group of fishermen in Thanh Thuy Hamlet (Binh Hai Commune) discovered a whale about 2 meters long and weighing between 440 to 660 pounds drifting close to the shore in a weakened state.

Despite their best efforts to guide it back to sea, the whale was repeatedly pushed ashore by the waves and gradually grew weaker. By noon, it had died.

Local residents then brought the whale to Van Thanh Thuy mausoleum in Binh Hai Commune to carry out burial rites in accordance with their traditional customs.

Earlier, on May 8, residents of Binh Chau Commune (also in Binh Son District) discovered another whale nearly 4 meters long and weighing around 1 ton washed ashore in An Hai Hamlet.

After the whale died, people used a crane to bring it ashore and kept it on ice until May 9, when it was buried with full ceremonial honors.

In coastal communities, whales are referred to as “Ca Ong” (Lord Whale). According to local beliefs, whales are regarded as guardian spirits who protect fishermen during storms and rough seas. Numerous stories are passed down recounting how Ca Ong saved fishermen in distress.

Because of this reverence, when a whale washes ashore and dies, locals retrieve the body and conduct proper burials in mausoleums built along the coastline. Currently, there are dozens of Ca Ong mausoleums throughout Quang Ngai Province.

Ha Nam