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Elephant racing is one of the activities of the traditional cultural festival of the ethnic groups in Buon Don district, Dak Lak province, held every two years in March, the month when wild bees collect honey and also the time when farming begins. This is the dry season, with beautiful sunshine and easy roads. The people of Buon Don hold the elephant racing festival along with other festivals such as: the Water Source Worship Ceremony, the Elephant Health Worship Ceremony, the Buffalo Sacrifice Ceremony (Buffalo Stabbing Ceremony), the New Rice Worship Ceremony (Harvest Celebration Ceremony), and the Gong Culture Festival... to pray for a bountiful start to a new season, high yields, and prosperity for the village.
The elephant festival takes place over just one day with activities such as elephant racing, elephant swimming across the Serepok River, and elephant football. Between 15 and 18 elephants participate.
The elephant racing festival aims to honor the martial spirit and elephant-taming skills of the ethnic groups in the Central Highlands. In addition, visitors can enjoy unique and flavorful cuisine of the local ethnic groups, ride elephants to visit villages, and experience the journey of riding elephants across the Serepok River to explore the Yok Don Forest.
Time:
March 12, 2014.
- From 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM: Water Worship Ceremony
- From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM: Ceremony to pray for the elephant's health.
- From 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM: Buffalo Sacrifice Ceremony to celebrate the harvest season (Buffalo Stabbing Ceremony).
March 13, 2014.
- From 08:00 to 08:15: Opening Ceremony of the Ethnic Culture Festival of Buon Don District.
- From 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM: Elephant football competition.
- From 09:30 to 09:45: Elephant race.
- From 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM: Elephant swimming competition.
- From 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM: New Rice Offering Ceremony (Harvest Celebration Ceremony).
- From 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM: The bathing ceremony and prayers for the health of the elephants after the completion of their activities at the festival.
Location:
The activities took place at the Community Cultural Center and Buon Tri A (formerly Ban Don), Krong Na commune, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province.
