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Episode details

World Service,26 Apr 2024,26 mins

The whale worshippers of Vietnam

Heart and Soul

Available for over a year

On the southern shores of Vietnam, whales are revered as gods of the oceans. Eliza Lomas visits whale temples and a whale cemetery, hearing about the roots and rituals of the belief. We learn how worshippers’ lives are entwined with the sea, joining a festival where whales are honoured with a ceremonial journey. With lives at sea full of risk, we hear how these sacred creatures ensure fishermen a safe return to land. Producer: Eliza Lomas Image: Whale worshippers in Vietnam (Credit: Eliza Lomas)

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