Posted
on November 17, 2013
Traditionally,
the people of Surin, Thailand, were known for capturing wild
elephants in Cambodia and training them to do work for people.
However, the civil war in Cambodia made it tougher for elephant
handlers (mahouts) to make a living in this practical way.
So
some of the mahouts turned to using elephants as entertainment!
I
have already written about elephants painting pictures and
making music; since 1960 mahouts and their elephants have been holding a round-up festival every November. Here are some elephant shows that you could see if you were in Surin today:
elephant football (or soccer) games
- elephant tug-of-war matches
- re-enactments of battles, with elephant steeds
- elephant choreography
On
Friday the festival began with an Elephant Procession – more than
300 elephants marching through the city from the railway station to
the Elephant Breakfast. Some of the elephants carried important
people, some carried mahouts in authentic “battle outfits” from
the past, and some carried tourists! In between the elephants, local
children and teachers wearing traditional costumes danced for the
onlookers.
The
Elephant Breakfast was a huge spread of fruits that the elephants
gobbled up. There are usually some leftovers, which local people take
home.
Yesterday
and today the festival-goers enjoy all the shows and also petting,
feeding, and riding elephants. It really does sound fun!
Also
on this Date:
Plan
Ahead:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
And
here are my Pinterest boards for:
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