Bangkok--15 Nov--TAT
There has been a long history of the domestication of elephants and through the centuries, these graceful creatures have been an integral part of the Thai way of life. From the beginning of Thai history, elephants have nobly and faithfully served both kings and commoners in war and in commerce. While there are endless accounts of legendary "war elephants" at the service of the kings of Siam, only a few of the finest elephants were trained for combat and served in the first line of attack. Most were used solely for transport.
The Mahout and His Elephant
As soon as the young elephant is weaned at the about three years, it begins life as a domesticated elephant under the care of its keeper — the mahout. Hence other than its mother, the mahout is the next most important influence in an elephant's life. Traditionally, life-time or career mahouts were knowledgeable, highly experienced individuals well-versed in elephant-rearing skills. These were true masters with an intimate understanding of their 'wards'.
The relationship between the career mahout and his elephant often goes back a long way to their respective childhood days. In rural communities, where elephants have been kept by a family for generations, age-old knowledge and skills in the care and control of elephants are passed down from father to son. At the same time, generations of elephants are born into the family unit. As man and elephant depend on each other, the elephant is treated as a member of the 'family'. Young boys and baby elephants grow up together with the young boys given an opportunity to work with the family elephants, preparing them for what becomes a lifetime with one particular animal. A life-long bond is forged. The relationship is based on affection and complete trust in one individual. The elephant is very loyal to its mahout. A mahout and his elephant ideally maintain a life-long relationship that ends only with the mahout's death or when the elephant is sold.
Considered to be an auspicious creature, the elephant's association with the three key institutions of the country — nation, religion and king, through the centuries, led to its elevation to the status of national symbol.