Old Karen Hill Tribe Hand Carved Teak Logging Elephant

Old Karen Hill Tribe Hand Carved Teak Logging Elephant

Hand Carved in Natural Teakwood

This is a very unique and magnificently carved piece, extremely accurate in scale and realistic in its form, patina and touch. This piece was expertly caved by the craftsmen of the Karen Hill Tribe of the Golden Triangle region. The Karen people have maintained a close relationship with elephants for centuries, raising them and using them for such task as clearing forest and transportation. Until recently most Karen Hill people kept elephants, but nowadays most elephants in the region are kept in conservation centers. To the Karen people, elephants are revered creatures and the white elephant is revered most of all as a symbol of good luck. According to Karen folk lure, such items are revered and are believed to bring good luck and are kept in the home to ensure good luck for the family. Often times herds of wooden elephants, like this one, are placed in front of spirit houses (as seen in the photo above) to bring good luck to the spirits of dead relatives and transport them through the spirit world. Spirit Houses are very common throughout the region; families build them adjacent to their homes as dwellings for deceased relatives. I got this magnificent piece during a trip to the Golden Triangle Region where the Karen Hill Tribe live. (Note the photo of me with a couple of Karen Hill Tribe women). I have included a brief history of the Karen People below. Also, check out the photos (above) I recently took of elephants being transported by truck from Fae's Elephant Hospital in Lampang Thailand.

Dimensions: Can be seen in photos above

Materials: Teakwood

Age: Circa 1900

Don't let this unique opportunity pass you by... Buy It Now!

Thanks for your time and consideration... sidthesquid

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KAREN PEOPLE

For centuries much of the population of northern Thailand has been composed of ethnic groups commonly known as 'hilltribes'. The largest of these is the Karen group numbering around 400,000 in Thailand.

The two main Karen groups in Thailand are the Sgaw and Pwo Karen. The Karen Hilltribes Trust works with the largest, the Sgaw Karen, who live in the Khun Yuam and Mae La Noi districts of the Mae Hong Son Province.

Their history in northern Thailand can be traced back to the twelfth century. It is thought that Karen originally came from Tibet, through China, and eventually to Thailand.

In Thailand they mostly live in the more remote mountainous areas due west of Chiang Mai. They are subsistence farmers who live at peace with nature and the forests. The Karen settled in what is termed the 'middle level' in the mountains, namely between 800 and 1,800 meters.

They were semi-nomadic people using swidden (slash and burn) farming methods, moving around on a seven year cycle. However, around 1968 the Government insisted that they must stop moving around. They were offered Thai ID and land rights if they could prove longevity. Now they are settled but their lifestyle is still influenced by their culture