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The burial ground of the elephant hunters is located about 1 km from the center of the Bản Đôn tourist area (Krông Na commune, Buôn Đôn district, Đắk Lắk province), hidden behind the forest canopy. Anyone visiting for the first time wants to explore its mystery. Here, dozens of tombs with unique architecture are clustered within a 10-hectare area, also known as the Gru mausoleum. Ms. H-Cheng (the third child of the elephant hunting king Ama Kong) said: “This land is very special; only those known as elephant hunting kings, hunting heroes, and their family members are buried here after death.”
Ms. H-Cheng led us to the largest tomb and said, "This is the tomb of Y Thu Knul, the founder of Buon Don, the progenitor of the art of elephant hunting. He was respectfully called Khun Su Nop by the King of Siam - meaning 'Elephant Hunting King'."
Next to the tomb of Khun Su Nop is the tomb of Rleo Knul (Khun Su Nop's nephew). In 1947, Rleo Knul also hunted a white elephant and presented it to Emperor Bao Dai. When Rleo Knul died, the last emperor of Vietnam had his tomb built in a rather unique pyramidal shape.
Khun Su Nop once hunted 400 elephants. In 1861, he captured a white elephant and presented it to the King of Thailand. Grateful for this gesture, the King of Thailand bestowed upon him a great deal of wealth and granted him the prestigious title of King of Elephant Hunters.
Khun Su Nop was also regarded by the people as a powerful and prestigious chieftain.
When it comes to the art of hunting wild elephants, Ama Kong is considered the most outstanding descendant of Khun Su Nop. With a record of hunting over 300 elephants, he is also known as the King of Elephant Hunters and deserves to be included in this legendary land.
Besides his legendary elephant hunting achievements, Ama Kong is also known for creating the famous "he drinks it, she praises it" medicine that is popular throughout all three regions of Vietnam.
What's special is that all the tombs face west, which they believe is the direction of the dead. The tombs are uniquely designed, in the shape of pyramids and models of small houses built with four pillars around them and a roofing system.
The tombs contain items such as blankets, quilts, bowls, chopsticks, animal bones, etc. These are things that the living share with the dead, a custom known as the Ede people's tradition of sharing possessions with the deceased.
Statues of birds and animals are often placed in front of tombs, each with a different meaning. Peacocks symbolize nobility and prestige; bronze pots represent abundance and prosperity; and gongs symbolize joy and merriment.
Additionally, if it's the tomb of descendants, there will be ivory tusk statues facing in all four directions and eight corners. If it's the tomb of kings or elephant hunters, there will often be statues of elephants at the top or head of the tomb.
Ms. H-Cheng added: "To distinguish between male and female graves, you just need to look at the headstone. If it's a male grave, the headstone will have the letter Y in front in addition to the full name, while for a female it will have H."
