Cúng hạ thủy tàu thuyền (offering at the launching of a boat)

Fishing communities, Folk practice

When

When launching a newly built boat or beginning the fishing season; according to the source page, the boat owner chooses an auspicious day and month and avoids the giờ Mẹo (hour of the Cat)

Who makes the offering

Boat owner, ship owner

Offerings

Steps

1. Setting out the offerings, the boat owner reads the prayer text inviting the quan Hành khiển of the year, Thành hoàng bản cảnh (local tutelary deity), Thổ thần (Earth God), Long mạch (dragon vein), Táo quân (Kitchen Gods) and the deities governing that place
2. Inviting also the Tiền chủ, Hậu chủ and the spirits of the surrounding area to come and share the offerings
3. According to the source page, those who work on the water worship the Thủy thần (Water God), cá Ông (the Whale), Bà Cậu, Quan Âm Nam Hải (Guanyin of the South Sea), and also make offerings to cô hồn (wandering spirits), those who died on rivers and seas

Things to avoid

• When a boat is finished, at departure or at the start of work, the giờ Mẹo (hour of the Cat) is avoided, by custom the birth hour of Bà Cậu
• It is taboo for strangers to touch the eye of the boat
• Người trên ghe tránh nói lời độc địa và tránh các tiếng úp, lật, rơi, rớt, đổ, ngã, sẩy, trở, lăn, té, nhào
• When selling a boat, the owner does not sell the long pole and the water-bailing trough
• It is taboo to meet a snake or a goose swimming in front of the bow; it is taboo to carry a cat or a turtle; if a knife is dropped into the water it must be retrieved

Central Vietnam, Chăm, Folk practice

When

Two forms: an old boat going out to sea for a new season, and a new boat going out to sea for the first time

Where the offerings are set

The boat is placed on land, facing the sea; the ritual master stands at the bow

Who makes the offering

The master

Offerings

Steps

1. The master introduces himself (Akhan ka drei)
2. Lễ Mời Thần (Invitation to the Deities, Da-a Yang): from the Tháp deity to 37 Holy Ones, including deities of the Vietnamese
3. Reading the Lễ kinh (Ricauw) together with the purification incantation (Mưrôy); the source page notes there are 7 kinh lễ

North Central Coast, Fishing communities, Xuân Hội, Nghi Xuân, Hà Tĩnh, Folk practice

When

Before each trip out to sea, usually in the late afternoon; the departure time is chosen as an odd hour according to the saying "đi hơn, về kém"

Where the offerings are set

The offering is set out in front of the boat at the wharf

Who makes the offering

The boat owner, dressed neatly

Offerings

Steps

1. The boat owner sets out the offering in front of the boat
2. Light 3 incense sticks, pray to the deity who guards the wharf to give thanks for keeping the boat safe while anchored and to pray for a safe trip and a good catch of shrimp and fish

Things to avoid

• Fishermen in the cửa Hội area avoid setting out on the first day of the lunar month

South Central Coast, Fishing communities, Hải Tân, Phổ Quang, Đức Phổ, Folk practice

When

From the morning of the 30th of Tết until giao thừa (New Year's Eve) (the Tết thuyền custom); at the end of the tenth lunar month and the beginning of the eleventh lunar month, when boats are brought back to the wharf to mend nets and repair boats, there is also an offering ceremony and a feast for relatives and fellow fishermen

Where the offerings are set

The offering is set out at the bow of the boat anchored at the wharf

Who makes the offering

The boat owner together with family members

Offerings

Steps

1. Prepare the offering tray at home and then carry it out to set at the bow
2. Hang the national flag on the post in front of the bow and on the boat's roof
3. The boat owner prays to give thanks to the boat that has made a living with him all year
4. On the morning of the second day of Tết, the fishing community holds a cầu ngư (prayer for a good catch) ceremony at the shrine of Nam Hải deity and then beats the drum for the boats to leave the wharf

Mekong Delta, Khmer, Folk practice

When

Once a year, before the Ok Om Bok festival; the date is not fixed, from one week to more than a month before the race day

Where the offerings are set

At the Khmer pagoda, where the boat shed is; the boat is launched into the river beside the pagoda

Who makes the offering

The ritual master is the monks, achar; the boat rowers and Buddhist followers in the phum sóc all take part

Offerings

Steps

1. Decorate the boat, set out the offerings
2. The monks, achar pray to the deities to protect the ghe Ngo
3. The rowers stand on both sides of the boat and listen to the monks chant blessings
4. To the sound of ngũ âm music, the whole team joins forces to bring the boat from the shed down to the water
5. Check the boat, especially the đòn dong (the main beam), then bring the boat to the gathering place.