RUSTIC Old Karen Hill Tribe Iron Wood Handle Elephant Ankus Rare Collectible

**** Excluding Remote Area Surcharge ****

Product of Thailand

Description

Condition : Used

Dimensions:  51x15x3.5cm

Weight : 538 gram

Materials: Teak & Iron

Product detail

Authentic vintage Karen Hill Tribe of Northern Thailand teak elephant ankus. Used by Karen Hill Tribe mahouts to drive elephants. The mahout (elephant driver) gently taps the elephant behind the ears to tell the elephant which direction to walk or issue other commands. Elephant ankuses are becoming more and rare as almost all the elephants in Northern Thailand have been moved to elephant conservation centers or tourist entertainment centers. Formerly they had been used by Karen and other hill tribes for tasks such as clearing land, etc. This is not a reproduction, it is an authentic Karen elephant ankus that was used by a real elephant mahout. To the Karen people, elephants are revered creatures. According to Karen folk lure, keeping such a ankus that was used by an elephant in one's home will ensure good luck and prosperity for the family living in that dwelling. Please take a look at photos of a elephant mahout driving an elephant that I took in Northern Thailand.