Published:  21:46 Sunday - November 06, 2011

Elephants symbolize the strength and prosperity of families and hamlets and the ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands.

Elephants symbolize the strength and prosperity of families and hamlets and the ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands. The elephant race is one of the biggest festivals in the Central Highlands. It reflects the martial spirit of the M'Nong people, an ethnic group famous for their bravery in wild elephant hunting and training. The magnificent landscape of the Central Highlands further stresses the awesome atmosphere of this traditional festival.

An elephant race was held in Buon Don district in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak on March 11 as part of the third Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival.

Twelve elephants and 24 mahouts were the focus on the festival in the Buon Don eco-tourism area which featured a wild elephant hunt, elephant racing and a ritual for worshiping elephants.

In the future, when the elephant races in central Highlands are known widely, surely this land will attract more locals and outsiders, particularlly tourists in Vietnam tourism. They come there to enjoy the exciting astmosphere and marvel at the amazing elephants.

Followings are impressive and beautiful photos of elephant races:

Elephants usually help local people with their farming and for tourism

The elephant races take place every year during the third lunar month

The scene of elephant hunting

People use ropes made of buffalo hide when hunting wild elephants

Tamed elephants do different jobs at the scene of the hunt

Local people are happy with newly-captured elephants

The festival always attracts a large number of visitors

This festival honours the spirit and martial art of M'Nong people

After the race, the village patriarch holds a religious ritual to pray for the good health of both local people and elephants

Source: VOV