Unique 130-year-old 'elephant king' house in Buon Don

After more than a century, the legendary 'elephant king's' house still exists in Buon Don commune (belonging to Buon Don district, old Dak Lak), a unique cultural space, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists.

Since ancient times, Buon Don ( Dak Lak ) has been known as the land of hunting and taming wild elephants. Here, the ancestor of the elephant king Y Thu Knul taught the art of hunting and taming elephants to many generations. After his death, Y Thu Knul left behind special cultural heritages for his descendants, including the 130-year-old stilt house built with unique architecture.

About 50 km northwest of Buon Ma Thuot, the house of elephant king Y Thu Knul - the pioneer of Buon Don land, the founder of hunting and taming wild elephants, is still being preserved by the next generation, preserving its cultural values.

PHOTO: HUU TU

The ancient stilt house was built with many types of wood from the frame, walls, and tiled roof. The special feature is that the house has 3 separate roofs built in a pyramid shape and the house is surrounded by many Cham patterns.

PHOTO: HUU TU

Ms. H'Khoi Knul (50 years old, granddaughter of the late elephant king Ama Kong - the last descendant of the wild elephant hunting profession) said that over the past century, the house has been renovated and reinforced many times because the house frame is tilted towards the front.

PHOTO: HUU TU

“The family spent a lot of effort and money, hiring large machines to straighten the house frame. Each time we reinforced, the estimated cost was about 100 million VND,” Ms. H'Khoi Knul recounted.

PHOTO: HUU TU

According to Ms. H'Khoi Knul, the house has been home to many generations, through many generations of elephant kings. The current state of the house is somewhat old, many of the carvings on the walls and roof have faded. In particular, the foundation of the house has been raised more than 1 meter compared to the past.

PHOTO: HUU TU

Ms. H'Khoi Knul has a deep love for the late elephant king Ama Kong. In addition to her "career" of hunting up to 298 wild elephants, Ama Kong also created a tonic for men that can increase strength.

PHOTO: HUU TU

Currently, the ancient house still preserves many items used for hunting wild elephants, such as: spears, buffalo leather straps, buffalo leather elephant back cushions... Especially the sword given by King Bao Dai and the bronze tray of the ancestor of the elephant king Y Thu Knul.

PHOTO: HUU TU

The ancient stilt house of many generations of elephant kings is not only a cultural heritage of many people in Ban Don (old name) but also a tourist destination and discovery for many visitors when they have the opportunity to visit the village of the elephant king.

PHOTO: HUU TU

Display corner of the elephant king's belongings left for his descendants

PHOTO: HUU TU

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-dao-ngoi-nha-vua-voi-hon-130-nam-tuoi-o-buon-don-185250805000703357.htm