VietNamNet Bridge – Ba trao singing has been passed down for generations in the fishing villages of Nui Thanh District, in the central province of Quang Nam.

Crashing waves: The second act of Ba trao Singing includes the reenactment of fishermen rowing their boat at sea during fishing trips.

The unique local folk art, which combines singing and dancing, was originally created for ceremonies worshiping whales, or as local fishermen call them, ‘Big Fish’.

The ceremonies are usually held at the beginning of the year before local fishermen take to sea for the first time after the New Year. Local fishermen also hold ceremonial funerals for dead whales that wash ashore.

During the ceremonies, fishermen pray for the whales’ protection, who they regard as gods of the sea, and bountiful hauls. The event consists of three acts portraying a fisherman’s journey: boarding a boat, sailing and returning. 

A Ba trao singing troupe often consists of 10 to 18 people, who must be able to sing and dance well in sync. The performance, which was developed from local traditional music and dance, features everyday activities and depicts the fishermen struggling against nature. 

Village elders praying for a bountiful fishing season by the seaside in Tam Thanh Commune.  A troupe perform Ba trao Singing’s first act: Boarding a boat for the ceremony. Ba trao Singing troupe during their performance. Nguyen Thanh Trung, a resident of Tam Thanh, was honoured to be chosen as the lead singer for his village Ba trao singing troupe at this year’s ceremony.

VNS