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PHOTOGRAPHING VIETNAM
WHY CHOOSE VIETNAM
Photographing Vietnam is a captivating journey that unveils the country's rich tapestry of culture, history, and breath-taking landscapes. From the bustling streets of Hanoi, where ancient traditions meld with the pulse of modern life, to the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay with its emerald waters and limestone karsts, every frame tells a story of Vietnam's unique charm. The vibrant colours of traditional ao dai dresses and conical hats create a vivid palette against the backdrop of bustling markets and ancient temples. In the rice terraces of Sapa, the interplay of light and shadow paints a mesmerizing picture of agricultural life. The war-torn history is poignantly captured in places like the Cu Chi Tunnels, providing a stark contrast to the resilience and optimism seen in the faces of the Vietnamese people. Each photograph in Vietnam is a testament to the country's complex past and its enduring spirit, making it a photographer's paradise with endless opportunities to capture moments that resonate with the soul.
M’Nông Elephant Rituals
The M'Nông Elephant Rituals in Vietnam are a fascinating cultural spectacle that reflects the deep connection between the M'Nông ethnic group and their revered elephants. This unique ritual is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Held annually, the Elephant Rituals are a spiritual ceremony that pays homage to the sacred bond between the M'Nông people and their elephants, which are considered not only as valuable working animals but also as spiritual companions. During the rituals, elaborate ceremonies unfold, featuring traditional music, dance, and offerings to honor the elephants and seek blessings for the community's prosperity. The event showcases the M'Nông people's belief in the mystical qualities of these majestic creatures, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving both cultural heritage and the natural environment in Vietnam's diverse tapestry.
During the first month of the Lunar new year,
the M’Nông ethnic group in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak organize this ritual to pray for the elephant’s health. M’Nông villages also exist in southern Vietnam in the Bình Phước province and in Cambodia, but these groups have no
known relationship with elephants.
Man and beast stand face to face, a living representation of an unusual bond that has lasted for more than a thousand years in Vietnam.
The M’Nông ethnic group in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak, Vietnam have lived with elephants for more than a thousand years. The elephants are considered to be both valuable members of the village community and are cared for like kin. Each year the Dak Lak M’Nông organize a ceremony to pray for the continued good health of the elephants.
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An Unusual Family Bond
Unlike sacred cows in India or cats in ancient Egypt, the M’Nôn g in Dak Lak do not worship elephants as gods. Instead, elephants enter the M’Nông community as kin. Within the family, the parents will call the elephant “son” or “daughter”, and the children will see the animal as a sibling .
Y Kham Sel and Y Vinh have lived as family for more than two decades.
Y Kham Sel is now 25 years old, middle-aged for a healthy Asian elephant.
Asian elephants can live as long as 48 years when held in captivity and up to 60 years in the wild, according to data collected by National Geographic.
“I’m very happy that I have my own elephant but I feel sad at the same time,” Y Vinh says. “I’m worried my children will not see elephants in the future. [If this happens] I don’t know what they can be proud of … because to our ethnic group, to Highland people, the elephant is the symbol of our culture.”
But, now, we lose the forest day by day and we lose the elephants at the same time. If one day the elephants are all gone, we will also lose the culture of the M’Nông tribe,” Y Vinh continues.
Y Vinh is not alone in his fear that elephants will soon be no more than a memory in Vietnam. The Asian elephant has been put on the endangered species list, despite the efforts of activist groups such as the Wildlife Conservation Society to protect them.
The End of an Era for Elephants in Vietnam
Logging and rapid development have taken over the elephant habitat in Vietnam, and as the forest land dwindles the elephants are forced out of their natural habitat. Hunting elephants for ivory, though now illegal, has also reduced the elephant population drastically.
It is difficult to quantify the exact number of wild Asian elephants still living in Vietnam; however, Wild Welfare, an organization geared towards assisting animals in distress, and EleAid, a trust for elephant preservation, put the number at only 60 to 100 elephants left in the wild.
Today, the largest known herd in Vietnam is found in the Dak Lak province and is made up of approximately 15-20 individual elephants only.
In response to this crisis, the M’Nông have created an elephant protection law. The law states that if an elephant is in bad health the villagers must take time to care for it. Those who abuse, eat or kill elephants will be heavily punished. The M’Nông consider an elephant to have the same value as a human being. Therefore, intentionally killing an elephant is judged as a murder. However, this law is only applied by this one ethnic group in Dak Lak, which numbers barely more than 100,000 people itself.
In Celebration of Elephants
There is an air of excitement at Y Vinh’s family home as M’Nông villagers come to celebrate the blessing of Y Kham Sel. They arrive in their dark tunics highlighted with scarlet brocade, bearing gifts of wine or pork for the family.
The festival represents the respect the villagers have for God, for their ancestors, and for the strong spirit of the elephant.
From the sheltered porch of the traditional stilt home, men begin to beat the sides of their hammered brass drums. A candle is placed on a barrel of wine to symbolize the God of Fire in the ceremony. The rhythm picks up. It is time to begin.
During the first month of the Lunar new year, the M’Nông ethnic group in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak organize this ritual to pray for the elephant’s health. M’Nông villages also exist in southern Vietnam in the Bình Phước province and in Cambodia, but these groups have no k nown relationship with elephants.
Y Kham Sel is led out of the water and a traditional M’Nông cost ume with two bracelets is placed atop his head. Y Vinh’s father, the village Shaman, approaches the animal and lays his hand on his hide. “We will never let you lack for anything,” he whispers to Y Kham Sel.
In the morning light, the thick skin of the elephant gleams charcoal grey. Much has been written about the eyes of an elephant: how much wisdom is apparent within; the visible human-like emotions. Y Kham Sel has amber eyes framed with thick lashes. He gently swats insects away with his whip-like tail, looking down at the humans who surround him with no malice.
To stand this close to a wild animal with no fear and no hesitation is the special domain of the M’Nong.
As much as they believe the elephant to be their brother, the elephant also seems to accept the people around him. He remains still, calm, unperturbed by the scents and sounds
The Formal Blessing
The Shaman then places a piece of cooked pork, the best cut of meat available, on Y Kham Sel to pray that the elephant will always have enough to eat. Elephants are herbivores; however, the pork is purely a symbolic hope that the elephant will enjoy a plentiful life.
The metallic beat of the gong ceases and the formal blessing commences, in which the elephant will be anointed with several items that have important qualities in M’Nông culture. First, a raw egg is broken on Y Kham Sel’s head to represent the glory of God’s protection as well as a wish for good health and longevity.
Epic poems are recounted or sung by each village chief about how the supernatural strength of elephants overcame their enemies.
Now the M’Nong people live in peace but this fortitude is still used to help transfer wood beams to build their traditional stilt homes, as well as to assist with other village tasks. Otherwise, M’Nông elephants are left free to roam and graze.
Now the M’Nong people live in peace but this fortitude is still used to help transfer wood beams to build their traditional stilt homes, as well as to assist with other village tasks. Otherwise, M’Nông elephants are left free to roam and graze.
Pure water from the family well is poured onto Y Kham Sel to relax him and wash away his fatigue. The water runs down his sides, wetting the soil at his feet, and the rich scent of earth fills the air.
Prior to the celebration, the elephant’s family has prepared Can wine (Rượu cần) in an heirloom, earthenware jug. Can wine is made from fermented rice and a variety of herbs; it is left to ferment for six months before being ready to enjoy. Sharing Rượu cần with guests is considered an honor in many of Vietnam’s highland communities. The family shares a few sips of wine with the elephant to represent the esteem the family has for him.
Next, rice is scattered across the Y Kham Sel’s back to symbolize the family’s wish for a plentiful life for the elephant. The grain is important in M’Nông culture, considered a “gem from heaven”. It provides the basis of their diet and livelihood.
Trays of food laden with banana, pineapple, and sugarcane are presented. The family and the elephant feast together to seal the bond of their common life and continued good health.
When the ceremony ends, the spirit changes from one of devout respect to that of celebration.
Wine and food are shared amongst friends and family. The feast is filled with pungent foods such as nước mắm, fermented fish and buffalo meat, staples of the M’Nông diet because they can be preserved for long periods of time without spoiling.
As day turns to evening, the silhouettes of the elephants stand out against the darkening sky, dignified beasts casting a shadow over their human brothers and sisters.
More Reading About Asian Elephants in Vietnam
Trinh Viet Cuong. 2000. Hien trang voi rung (Elephas maximus) o huyen Cu Jut (tinh Dak Lak), huyen Kon Plong (tinh Kon Tum). Report: [Status of elephant (Elephas maximus) in Cu Jut district (Dak Lak pro.), Kon Plong (Kon Tum pro.), Vietnam. Hanoi: FFI [In Vietnamese].
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