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The M'nong people live alongside and have a close relationship with elephants.
They are renowned for their skills in controlling and taming elephants, a dangerous and difficult job. Elephant hunters not only need special skills to overcome the challenges of capturing them but also to navigate the treacherous jungle.
Wild elephants are captured when they are very young and then raised as pets. After being domesticated, elephants play an important role in the daily lives of the ethnic people and also become an important means of transportation for the M'nong people.
Traditionally, elephants are symbols of war. Village elders often tell wonderful stories about elephants assisting in battle and overwhelming the enemy. Therefore, elephants are not only seen as tools for work but have also become an integral part of the M'nong people's lives for generations.
Elephant Protection Law
According to the Elephant Protection Law enacted by the M'nong people, when elephants are unwell, it is the villagers' responsibility to care for them. This is both a duty and a privilege.
Those who harm or eat elephants will be punished. Those who kill elephants for economic or profit-making purposes will be severely punished. Different levels of offense will be dealt with by different measures. Those who excessively abuse elephants will have to pay a fine equivalent to the value of a cow or another elephant.
The law applies to both people and elephants. If, for any reason, an elephant harms or kills a villager, that elephant will be killed. The village chief holds a hearing to discuss the laws with the villagers, and depending on the specific situation, the appropriate punishment will be implemented.
A ritual to pray for the health of elephants.
In Lien Son town (Lao Kiet district, Dak Lak province), the locals hold an annual ceremony to pray for the health of their elephants throughout the month of January. This custom dates back over a thousand years. The timing of the ceremony depends on the elephants' health and the decisions of their owners. Participants usually bring wine and a pig as gifts for the elephant owners.
The elephant population in the country is alarming.
According to 2005 statistics, the number of elephants in the country has drastically decreased from 600 in 1980 to only 165 in 2005 (Source: eleaid.com). This alarming figure highlights the importance of elephant conservation and necessitates efforts to increase the elephant population. Elephants play a vital role in the culture and heritage of the M'nong people, so the sharp decline in their numbers means the loss of cultural heritage and ethnic identity.
The story of Kim Luan, 6 years old
This photograph symbolizes the M'nong people's respect for elephants. Taken in 2014, the image has been published in over 40 countries and in many world-renowned magazines such as Time Magazine and National Geographic.
What makes this photo special is the striking contrast between the tiny girl and the enormous wild creature. Interestingly, I couldn't get close to the elephant, but little Kim Luan could.
The good news is that the Dak Lak provincial government is determined to protect the elephant population as well as the customs of the M'nong people. The government wants to preserve the relationship between humans and elephants, gradually protecting the cultural traditions of this ethnic group.
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The 6th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival and the Central Highlands Gong Culture Festival 2017 will take place from March 8-13 at various locations in Buon Ma Thuot City and Buon Don District.
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Additional information:
+ M'nong people:In 2009, the M'nong population was 102,741 (Wikipedia). They live primarily in the mountainous regions of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Quang Nam, and Lam Dong provinces. Additionally, a small group of M'nong people live in Cambodia.
+ Culture:The M'nong people have a collection of fascinating mythological stories and proverbs. They follow a polytheistic belief system. They have a tradition of playing musical instruments, including various types of gongs and flutes. The M'nong people enjoy wearing a variety of jewelry such as gold necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
+ Villages:The M'nong people's villages are called "buon." Each buon has more than 20 families closely bound together, creating a strong sense of community. They build stilt houses with roofs covered in dried grass and door frames made of bamboo and wood. They usually live in areas near valleys, lakes, and streams, close to nature.
+ Economy:The M'nong people practice slash-and-burn agriculture. Those living near rivers usually grow rice.
According to Mr. Ama Phong, a M'nong Riam man from Lac district, the ancient M'nong people did not practice slash-and-burn agriculture. They fished and grew rice. He said that the traditions and customs of the M'nong people are very similar to those of the Ede people. The main difference is the language between the two ethnic groups.
+ Cuisine:Corn, cassava, potatoes, and rice are the staple foods of the M'nong people. They enjoy sour foods such as bamboo shoots and fish sauce, pickled fish, shrimp, and buffalo meat. Typically, food is marinated and stored for extended periods so it can be consumed throughout the season.
Text and Photos: Rehahn C
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About the author:
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French photographer Réhahn C. spent six years in Vietnam and currently lives and works in Hoi An. The photographs of the M'nong people in Dak Lak selected for this exhibition are a small part of his collection of over 200 photographs showcasing cultural heritage and more than 30 types of traditional costumes from the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. These are currently preserved and displayed at The Precious Heritage Gallery Museum (7 Nguyen Hue, Hoi An), founded and managed by Réhahn himself.
