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In Laos, elephants are considered an honorable position, human best friends. Since ancient times, elephants have greatly helped them in many aspects of life. The nickname "Land of a Million Elephants" comes from the name of the Lan Xang Kingdom, and the image of elephants appeared many times on the former national flag. It can be said that Laos has formed and developed together with these big friends.
Elephants assist Lao people in their daily work. Photo: Explore Laos
Held annually at the start of the year, the Lao Elephant Festival is held to preserve traditional cultural beauty and demonstrate the close relationship between humans and elephants. Read on to explore this unique festival with Asia King Travel.
Lao Elephant Festival is held in Thongmixay District, Sayaboury Province. The people celebrate in 2-3 days, often around mid-February. Currently, the province has the largest number of elephants in the country, and local people have a long-standing tradition of taming and raising elephants.
The pleasant weather at the beginning of the year will allow the elephants to be more active. Photo: Phoonsab Thevongsa
For Lao people, the festival is a way to honor the animal that has helped them for generations. In terms of cultural significance, this is an opportunity for people and visitors to learn about elephants. Elephants in Laos are dramatically decreasing, therefore raising awareness of the conservation of this endangered species.
The provincial government is encouraging elephants in tourism promotion activities by allowing tourists to participate in raising elephants and other activities involving elephants. The province also has about 50 tourist attractions, so organizing the festival promotes the province's tourism image to the outside world.
The festival promotes awareness of elephant conservation not only in Laos. Photo: Working Abroad
"The purpose of this festival is to promote the preservation of Lao elephants, which are the country's heritage and most respected animals. It also asks to protect further the fine cultures, traditions, and lifestyles of the multi-ethnic Lao people of Sayaboury, who have lived with elephants since time immemorial," said Phetphixay Sounvilay, chairman of the Governor of Sayaboury Province.
The Lao Elephant Festival was first organized in 2007. Since 2024, it has been upgraded to the national level. Almost a hundred elephants with their mahouts (elephant keepers) flocked to Sayaboury. The mahouts can exchange experiences with colleagues about elephant training and allow visitors to learn about how elephants live.
After an opening ceremony, a procession of elephants enters the host village through a bamboo arch. The elephants bathe and are blessed by monks, with participants making merit in a baci ceremony.
Elephants on the way to the festival. Photo: Sayaboury Tourism
The mahouts will happily nod yes whenever a tourist asks to bathe his elephant. With mahout’s help, the visitor jumps on the elephant’s back and starts scrubbing all its body. The elephant nicely cooperates, dips low and springs water back to the visitor with its trunk like a water gun. After the bathing, the visitor can join the village kids doing the flips off the bamboo bridge nearby.
Then the most anticipated part begins, elephants marching a parade around the festival fields. Thousands of performers from around the country, dressed in traditional costumes from their tribe or region, are lined up in front of the audience. The parade is like a flood of color, pattern, rhythm, and dance.
Elephants can perform many entertaining acts under the guidance of mahouts. Photo: VOV
After the parade, the mahouts control the elephants to perform many impressive acts such as soccer, dart throwing, painting, etc. The fun all around like a circus. Fireworks display in a carnival atmosphere.
The celebrations go on late into the night with great enthusiasm. The first day ends with a lantern ceremony. The management board calls people up from the audience to light the wick beneath these white paper shades and watch the heat send them soaring. Hundreds of lanterns take to the sky, glowing like stars while those on the ground look up with delight.
On the second day, monks and government officials do a religious ceremony to bless the elephant. After that mahouts round up their massive mammals for the “Elephant of the Year” competition. Elephants will compete against each other in strength, speed and intelligence.
Lao National Assembly Chairman Xaysomphone Phomvihane feeds an elephant. Photo: VOV
Besides, visitors can watch and shop in a trade fair featuring over 300 booths of One District One Product (ODOP) goods, agricultural products, handicrafts, processing industrial products from 11 districts across the province. And there are concerts of Lao and Thai Lan singers.
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The Elephant Festival is increasingly attracting local people and international tourists, so the area is usually very crowded at this time. There are many reasonably priced homestays around the festival area, you should contact them in advance to book a room.
The Elephant Festival promotes an important message of nature conservation, so visitors need to pay attention to environmental hygiene. Avoid littering and limit the use of disposable plastic products. Elephants are a vulnerable species, so do not tease or put pressure on them.
Despite their size, elephants are sensitive beings, so be nice to them. Photo: Honey Trek
Finally, participate in the festival with a happy and open spirit. This is a great opportunity to learn and experience Lao culture, so do not hesitate to interact with local people and mahouts. A positive attitude not only helps you fully enjoy the festival but also contributes to creating a warm and friendly atmosphere for the event.
There is no chance better than the elephant festival in Laos to learn more about giant mammals. Through meaningful activities, the festival expresses respect for elephants - symbols of strength, wisdom, and prosperity. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to promote Lao tourism to the world. Contact Asia King Travel to help you discover this beautiful country.
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