ELEPHANT FESTIVAL AT SURIN
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The Asian elephant is revered by the Buddhist population that would have fertilized the mother of Buddha. Rarest and most sacred white elephants are jealously guarded inside the Royal Palace. The elephant is the symbol of peace and prosperity across the Asian continent.
In peacetime, because of their size and strength, these animals have always provided invaluable assistance with difficult tasks, including transport and public works. It was still appeal to them in the twentieth century, until recently, to pull the teak logs. In wartime, this mammal was both a formidable weapon and a symbol of royalty, a mix of tank and national flag in some way. Not only is the animal itself could cause terrible damage, but he was carrying armed archers and lancers, even a small cannon. Sovereign went into battle on the backs of elephants if éléphant..Mais work during their tender years, it is admitted that they enjoy a sweet past retirement age of 60. Today in Thailand, an entire hospital is devoted to them, care is funded by a Social Security aside for them.
During the third weekend of November, Surin, the northeastern city of Thailand takes place in Surin Elephant Festival (Round Up Festival). For this occasion the city hosts more than 300 elephants for an annual gathering. These strides land by Khmer civilization centuries become time for a weekend theater shows of force and unexpected agility in these gigantic animals that one might almost clumsy. Before the day of the show you go to admire the elephants who enjoy taking advantage of a huge buffet of fruit.
Elephants have been central in Thai culture for a long time. This festival was celebrated for the first time in 1960. Even today, humans and elephants live together and also depend on one another. This relationship is omnipresent during the festival.
Some explanations:
The person who takes care of the elephant is called Mahout. In ancient times, when a baby boy was born, the father starts the quest to neighboring villages to seek an elephant would have approximately the same age as the boy. Once it has found an elephant, he or purchased. As soon as the baby elephant is big enough he left his mother and joined the boy in the village which then has to take care of him. In everyday life, the man and the elephant are dependent on each other, the elephant is considered part of the "family." The daily life of the Thai elephant and his keeper is the central theme of Surin Elephant Round-up that now has achieved worldwide fame. The mahout and elephant spend their whole lives together. The mahout trying to take his elephant with him wherever he goes and he is not uncommon in Thailand to see an elephant and its mahout walking through the streets of the city where the mahout came to the shop.
ELEPHANT FESTIVAL AT SURIN
|
|
The Asian elephant is revered by the Buddhist population that would have fertilized the mother of Buddha. Rarest and most sacred white elephants are jealously guarded inside the Royal Palace. The elephant is the symbol of peace and prosperity across the Asian continent.
In peacetime, because of their size and strength, these animals have always provided invaluable assistance with difficult tasks, including transport and public works. It was still appeal to them in the twentieth century, until recently, to pull the teak logs. In wartime, this mammal was both a formidable weapon and a symbol of royalty, a mix of tank and national flag in some way. Not only is the animal itself could cause terrible damage, but he was carrying armed archers and lancers, even a small cannon. Sovereign went into battle on the backs of elephants if éléphant..Mais work during their tender years, it is admitted that they enjoy a sweet past retirement age of 60. Today in Thailand, an entire hospital is devoted to them, care is funded by a Social Security aside for them.
During the third weekend of November, Surin, the northeastern city of Thailand takes place in Surin Elephant Festival (Round Up Festival). For this occasion the city hosts more than 300 elephants for an annual gathering. These strides land by Khmer civilization centuries become time for a weekend theater shows of force and unexpected agility in these gigantic animals that one might almost clumsy. Before the day of the show you go to admire the elephants who enjoy taking advantage of a huge buffet of fruit.
Elephants have been central in Thai culture for a long time. This festival was celebrated for the first time in 1960. Even today, humans and elephants live together and also depend on one another. This relationship is omnipresent during the festival.
Some explanations:
The person who takes care of the elephant is called Mahout. In ancient times, when a baby boy was born, the father starts the quest to neighboring villages to seek an elephant would have approximately the same age as the boy. Once it has found an elephant, he or purchased. As soon as the baby elephant is big enough he left his mother and joined the boy in the village which then has to take care of him. In everyday life, the man and the elephant are dependent on each other, the elephant is considered part of the "family." The daily life of the Thai elephant and his keeper is the central theme of Surin Elephant Round-up that now has achieved worldwide fame. The mahout and elephant spend their whole lives together. The mahout trying to take his elephant with him wherever he goes and he is not uncommon in Thailand to see an elephant and its mahout walking through the streets of the city where the mahout came to the shop.
The entire festival is divided into 6 sections.
Scene 1 - "CHA KHLONG"
This first stage represents hundreds of elephants as they exist in their natural habitat.
Scene 2 - DAILY LIFE & TRADITIONS
stresses of everyday life in the community and the local traditions and customs, including the "Phi Pakarn" sacred ritual that is performed to avert the danger during the raid.
Stage 3 - From the forest to the domestication
provides a demonstration of the techniques used in the capture of wild elephants and training techniques for elephants at work.
Scene 4 - The traditions of Surin
Culture, Featured customs and traditions in this scene reflect the inseparable links and the relationship of respect between man and elephant.
Scene 5 - ELEPHANTS IN WAR
This is a presentation of the ancient art of war elephant.
Scene 6 - "Farewell"
This year, the Elephant Festival in Surin (Round Up Festival) will take place from November 5 to 16 with an ornate parade of floats carrying the food of elephants on November 13, followed the next day by a huge parade through the city of more than 300 elephants and a big party accompanying their meal.
In "If Narong Stadium" on November 15 and 16, a fantastic sound and light show will illustrate the legend of "Prasat If Khoraphum".