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Traveling in Chiang Rai: The Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather Worship Tradition
The Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather Worship Tradition http://www.hotsia.com > Traveling in Chiang Rai > The Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather Worship Tradition. Mr.Hotsia's trip to Chiang Khong: Giant Worm, Ban Jam Pong Market, Ban Ngom Hin, Ban Don Mahawan, Nang Songkran Chiang Khong, Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather Worship, Songkran Water Splashing in Chiang Khong, Chiang Khong Boat Racing, Buddha Statue Bathing Procession in Chiang Khong, Songkran Alms Giving in Chiang Khong, Songkran Merit Making in Chiang Khong, The 4th Mekong River Bridge.
I once read on a website about the old tradition of worshiping the Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather, where they used to catch a rooster and smash its head against the boat floor until it bled onto the nets used to catch the giant catfish. I imagined the ceremony to be mystical, quiet, with chanting sounds. But today, many things have changed from what I had learned. The Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather worship ceremony is quiet, with only a few participants. Chiang Khong no longer catches giant catfish, as I inquired and found none have been caught.
It has been 4-5 years because both Thai and Lao sides have conserved the fish and stopped catching them. The giant catfish population has been declining (I don't know if it's related to the dam in China preventing them from spawning). On the morning of April 17, 2013, the Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather worship ceremony began. Elders chanted to invite the godfather, but I couldn't clearly hear the words due to another announcer speaking over. Then, offerings were torn and presented to the godfather. Elders at the event were invited to participate in tearing the offerings.
There was also a traditional dance to New Year music. Afterwards, 19 giant catfish and many other fish were released. The Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather worship, once a highlight of Chiang Khong tourism, has aged with time. Since the opening of the 4th Mekong River Bridge, people focus more on ASEAN cross-border activities to Laos and China. Also, giant catfish in the Mekong have become very rare, only farmed ones remain in local restaurants. The worship tradition likely remains to remember the past.
There is no actual giant catfish catching anymore. Normally, giant catfish swim upstream to spawn in the upper Mekong in China (according to signs). A new wave is rising, with new stars replacing the giant catfish, which now only remain in restaurants. To remember the past, I, Mr.Hotsia, have posted stories, photos, and clips on this website. I hope the tradition continues for future generations. If it becomes a legend, watch the clips I recorded in 2013. Mr.Hotsia, Enjoy Traveling, April 17, 2013.
Sacrifice Godfather Mekong giant catfish. Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather Worship Ceremony. Sacrifice Godfather Mekong. Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather Worship. Sacrifice Godfather fish. Traditional Northern Thai dance. Dance in Chiang Khong. Mekong giant catfish release. GPS coordinates of the Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather worship site: 20°15'10.451"N, 100°24'47.177"E. GPS coordinates of the Bai Sri on the shrine: 20°15'10.409"N, 100°24'47.213"E.
GPS coordinates (POI) at the Mekong Giant Catfish Godfather worship event: 20°15'10.361"N, 100°24'47.183"E; 20°15'10.355"N, 100°24'47.117"E; 20°15'10.379"N, 100°24'47.111"E; 20°15'10.055"N, 100°24'47.213"E; 20°15'10.295"N, 100°24'47.303"E; 20°15'10.295"N, 100°24'47.411"E. Ban Hat Khrai aquatic animal conservation area.
The sign shows how long conservation has been in place. GPS coordinates (POI) for tearing offerings to the godfather: 20°15'10.325"N, 100°24'47.219"E; 20°15'10.355"N, 100°24'47.075"E; 20°15'9.197"N, 100°24'49.037"E. They said these are the 19 giant catfish released today. Additional GPS points: 20°15'9.203"N, 100°24'48.821"E; 20°15'10.775"N, 100°24'46.793"E; 20°15'10.451"N, 100°24'47.177"E for the godfather offerings.
This area was once used to catch giant catfish: 20°15'10.409"N, 100°24'47.195"E; 20°15'10.409"N, 100°24'47.213"E; 20°15'10.361"N, 100°24'47.183"E; 20°15'10.355"N, 100°24'47.117"E; 20°15'10.379"N, 100°24'47.111"E; 20°15'10.055"N, 100°24'47.213"E; 20°15'10.295"N, 100°24'47.303"E; 20°15'10.295"N, 100°24'47.411"E; 20°15'10.325"N, 100°24'47.219"E; 20°15'10.355"N, 100°24'47.075"E; 20°15'9.197"N, 100°24'49.037"E; 20°15'9.203"N, 100°24'48.821"E.
Fish Release Ceremony into the Mekong River
