As a living icon with important symbolic connotations and historical associations in Laos, the elephant is an animal dear to the hearts of the Lao people. Unfortunately, it is no exaggeration to say that the elephant, one of the defining components of Asian heritage, is today under threat.
Due to loss of its forest habitat, the Asian elephant is endangered in the wild. Because economic and technological change has limited the number of elephants needed in traditional occupations, the continued well-being of the region’s large number of domesticated elephants is also of concern, as is the future of mahouts and their families.
In response to these concerns, the Elephant Festival has been organised to raise awareness of the need for action to protect the Asian elephant as part of the vital cultural and natural heritage of Laos and the countries of the region. Hongsa district (Sayaboury Province) welcomes you to pay tribute to its elephants and enjoy great cultural activities and entertainment.
2010 BACK TO HONGSA
The district of Hongsa, and Viengkeo village in particular, have always been famous for elephants. The expert training and handling capabilities of local mahouts have made Hongsa the focal point of Lao elephant-lore. In Hongsa, elephants are sacred. They have been man’s best friend since time immemorial. Traditionally used for work in the forest, these magnificent animals are now looking forward to meeting you at this first elephant festival, giving you the chance to discover the riches and marvels of the cultural and natural world surrounding them. Who could pretend to have visited Laos, the “Land of a Million Elephants”, without meeting one of these superb animals? So, come and meet the elephants and their masters at the Elephant Festival...
where past and present meet...
