Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology has received a set of elephant hunting tools from the family of a so-called "Elephant King" in Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Dak Lak.— Photo sggp

HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology has received a set of elephant hunting tools from the family of a so-called "Elephant King" in Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Dak Lak.

The tools, which were used to hunt down and tame wild elephants, belong to the Khun Ju Nop family which is well-known in the area for following the vocation of elephant hunting. The tools are now owned by Kham Phet Lao, a medical practitioner and the 11th son and official heir of the "Elephant King" Ama Kong in Ko Tam Hamlet, Ea Tu Village, Buon Ma Thuot City.

Most of the tools in the 20-tool set are more than 100 years old, and include rattan switch, timber hammer, cords made of buffalo skin, horn, a flat platform fashioned out of buffalo skin to sleep on during an extended hunt, among others.

Besides the set granted to the museum, the Kham Phet Lao family also owns two other kits passed down from their ancestors which they are expected to put up for sale through an auction for charity.

The museum director, Dr Vo Quang Trong, said this collection was precious because "these tools are not simply instruments to hunt for and tame wild elephants. They do help interpret the daily life, activities, culture and customs of M'Nong ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands." — VNS