Saturday 28 february 2009
6
28
/02
/Feb
/2009
10:52
Well, what can I say. I’ve just come back from one of the biggest parties of my life. The 2009 Elephant Festival was such an amazing time, I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival!
Me and 13 of my elephant buddies walked for 5 days to reach the Elephant Festival held in Sayaboury on the 14th & 15th of February 2009. Bit of a hike but it was well worth it. We arrived a
few days before the festival begun so we got to rest up and greet all the other elephants as they arrived, one by one.
A total of 60 elephants turned out for the festival, and 80,000 people! It was a huge, two-day celebration that included logging demonstrations, markets, ceremonies and my favourite, the river
crossings. Each morning I’d wake up and take part in the parade, walking from one side of town to the other. This included a stomp through the Nam Hung River with all 60 of my elephant mates!
Some elephants got so excited they forgot they had mahouts on their back and tried to dive underwater!
The Elephant Festival was created by the same team that help rescued me from the logging industry, ElefantAsia. Seeing as though I was the bell of the ball, I had my makeup done each morning by a
lovely volunteer. I was the prettiest-looking elephant at the festival and everyone stopped to take my photo. I don’t mind, I’m used to that now!
Sayaboury Provincial authorities believe the festival raised an approximate two million dollars through handicraft, accommodation, transport and food and drink sales. That’s a huge amount for one
of Laos’ most rural and poorest districts. I’m proud that everyone in Laos made such an effort to come to Sayaboury and join in this celebration of everything ele. It makes me very positive for
the future of my species, as so many people showed their support for us.
The 2010 Elephant festival will be in February again, and most likely will be held in my hometown of Hongsa. I’ll be there will bells on, most likely literally! Just letting you know now so you
can start making your travel plans now :)
You can read more about the 2009 Elephant Festival in the article Sayaboury Stomp.
Or view all the festival’s press reviews here.
See you at the 2010 festival,
Mae Dok
Mae Dok is a 35 years
old elephant female. She has been saved from logging industry thanks to the Elephant Umbrella Fund and ElefantAsia organization in 2007. Since this time, she is resting in Hongsa district, northern
Laos and have some light activities such as bringing tourists in Hongsa protected forests or books for pupils living in remote areas with no road access.