In order for the crops to be abundant, the rice grains to fill the house, and bring comfort to all villages, the people of Ban Don began to organize traditional festivals, including the unique elephant racing festival.

In March, when the colors of forest flowers spread everywhere and attract swarms of wild bees to find honey, that is also the time when the villages of the Central Highlands people are preparing for a new crop. In order for the crops to be abundant, the rice grains to fill the house, and bring comfort to all villages, the people of Ban Don began to organize traditional festivals, including the unique elephant racing festival.

The Elephant Racing Festival takes place from March 12 to March 14 in Krong Na commune, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province. This is an activity within the framework of the traditional cultural festival of ethnic minorities in Buon Don district, which is held every two years in March of the solar calendar.

Coming to Ban Don, visitors will encounter the bustle and excitement of the people taking place throughout the villages. The mahout boys take the elephants to the green grass to take care of them, while the Ban Don girls prepare offerings to pray for the traditional festivals that take place with the elephant racing festival.

Elephant racing festival is usually held in an open area, fairly flat, with few trees of Yok Don National Park or a sparse forest along the Serepok River. Elephants line up about 10 or more. In the cheers and cheers of the audience, the elephants race more enthusiastically. They raised the hose up and down to greet everyone. After a while and the start signal sounded, the elephants jumped up like springs and ran straight ahead.

The track is usually about 400 - 500 meters wide, and about 1-2 km long. Two elephant jockeys, known locally as mó-gat, sit in front and behind to control the elephants to run in the right direction and keep their endurance and speed up... The audience is mostly indigenous people dressed in colorful brocade patterns standing two. Screaming on the side of the road created a lively atmosphere.

After the race on land, there is a contest of elephants swimming across the Serepok River, tug of war, elephants throwing away, elephants kicking a soccer ball... Coming to the elephant racing festival, visitors will be captivated by the jubilant atmosphere of the day. festival, with the sound of gongs and witness the spectacular performances by elephants of Buon Don mountains. Elephant racing festival is a major cultural event in the Central Highlands, honoring the martial spirit of the M'Nong people, who are brave and have tradition in hunting and taming wild elephants.

Currently, only the Central Highlands have elephants, but the number of individuals is decreasing significantly. Young people here have become unfamiliar with their father's method of seeing pure elephants in the past, mainly taking care of and controlling elephants. Elephant tamers thus became rarer over time. Currently, this job is mainly for the elderly, with several decades of experience.

At this time is the dry season, the sun is beautiful, the roads are easy to travel, so it is very suitable for tourist activities. In addition, coming to the Central Highlands, you also have the opportunity to enjoy unique cuisine, imbued with ethnic identities and ride elephants to visit villages.

-Hơi dài hihi :3