The Cult of Protective Mothers Among the South China Sea’s Small-Scale Fishermen
Wherever they may be, seafarers have always resorted to diverse beliefs to deal with the dangerousness of their profession. To overcome the rough sea, protective deities are often invoked. While the figure of the sacred mother is commonly celebrated by fishermen around the world, in the three countries bordering the South China Sea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, this devotion is expressed through the worship of three women: the Virgin Mary, Mẫu Thoải and Mazu. This article examines the role of these women in the beliefs of artisanal fishermen. Who are they and how did they arrive in the pantheon of marine deities? We will use a comparative study to understand the role of the cult of mother-goddesses in the fishing communities of the three countries mentioned and show how, behind these cults, it is the figure of the female that is recognized and celebrated.