The role played by elephants in the social and cultural life of Central Highlanders in Viet Nam was in the spotlight at an exhibition which recently opened at the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology in Ha Noi on November 25.
Visitors at the exhibition
Works on display at the exhibition, including 40 objects, 38 photos and video films, and articles on newspaper, are arranged into six topics on elephant behaviours, the hunting and taming of wild elephants, elephant care, elephants are in economic, cultural and social life of the community.
Stories told through the exhibits demonstrate that elephants are part of the life of Central Highlanders; they not only provide a mean of transport, but also serve tourism and contribute to the economic development of the community.
Most of the exhibits were presented to the museum by Kham Phet Lao – the son of Ama Kong (1910-2012), who captured and tamed hundreds of elephants during his life.
This the first exhibition introducing the indigenous culture of ethnic groups in Central Highlands region through the image of elephants. The exhibition is among a series of displays highlighting the cultures of the Vietnamese ethic groups hosted by the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology.
According to Museum Director Vo Quang Trong said that in addition to introducing cultural practices and rituals related to elephants and elephant cults in Central Highlands region, the exhibition also aims to contribute a voice in raising public awareness on wildlife conservation, particularly the elephants.
The exhibition will open to visitors until December 2017 at Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District.