Co is the leader of a group of worshippers on the island who pray to whale spirits, asking for a good catch and protection at sea. Photos: Chris Humphrey/dpa
Under a sweltering sun, 84-year-old Nguyen Co looks out from the stone steps of a temple on Ly Son Island off the coast of central Vietnam.
A broad grin spreads across his leathery face, even as he turns his gaze to a huge mound where a six-metre-long whale lies buried – the sea creature he has come to worship.Co is the leader of a group of worshippers on the island who pray to whale spirits, asking for a good catch and protection at sea.
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Co is the leader of a group of worshippers on the island who pray to whale spirits, asking for a good catch and protection at sea. Photos: Chris Humphrey/dpa
A group of fishermen on their boat off the coast of Tam Hai. On the ship in the foreground, the symbolic gaze of a painted whale eye is supposed to offer protection to the fishermen.
Local fishermen and elderly worshippers boarding the temple boat as part of the Tam Hai Whale Worship Festival.
Dozens of whales and other marine mammals are buried in the whale cemetery at Tam Hai.
Villagers in Tam Hai in central Vietnam taking part in a festival honouring the spirits of the whales.
Whale worshippers on Ly Son Island taking part in a solemn day of worship in honour of the whale spirits.
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