3 mahouts maneuver a temple elephant in South India

One of India’s oldest forms of transportation, the Asian elephant is a vehicle capable of moving heavy objects, large quantities of produce, and through history, maharajas on their hunting expeditions. By nature this animal would not willingly move people and goods as you see along the highways and back country roads. This is where the mahout, or driver, plays such an important role.

A view from where the mahout sits atop the elephant's head

As you ride an elephant, traditionally placed at temples (especially in the South),  historic forts & palaces, and national reserve parks, look for the instruments which mahouts use for control. Typically three instruments are used: the cheru kol or short pole, a thotti or a hook which is 3.5 feet in length and 3 inches thick, and the valiya kol or a long pole which is 10.5 feet in length and 5.5 inches thick. Mahouts ride the elephant by straddling the upper head just behind it’s ears. This allows the mahout to use his hook or short poll. The hook is inserted inside the ear which allows for steering. The elephants also learn vocal commands which control various movements such as speed, stopping, up, down and posing (tourists love this!).

To be a first-class mahout a child must be obsessed with elephants and their natural surroundings. An adept mahout has to be able to differentiate any elephant from the side, the back, and the front, to be able to know the forest (it’s trees, plants, bushes and how this applies to the elephant).

A mahout on his elephant in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Years ago there was no formal training course or school where a potential mahout could achieve the knowledge in caring for elephants. This process was passed through generations as a family business or if one can show enough prowess for the animal, he may be accepted into a community of mahouts. Young boys are placed with an animal where through the years they learn the how to’s of caring, feeding, nurturing and training the elephant.

Recent research has indicated roughly 50,000 Asian elephants exists today. But in India, only 3000 captive elephants are known. Common practice is to place 2-3 mahouts to each elephant which includes any apprentices. But today, as the 5000 year tradition wanes and tourism has exploded in India creating a surge in elephant interest, finding one good mahout for each elephant can prove difficult.

Since 2002, the Aane Mane Foundation, located near Mysore, Karnataka, has been conducting research and management programs in an effort to promote the conservation of Asian elephants. A mahout training program has been initiated as part of their efforts. Veteran mahouts are invited to educate and train new trainees from a few weeks to several years. Note: The foundation is not open to tourists.

Also since 2002, Elephant Care International, based in the USA, as part of several ongoing programs, has produced a mahout training guide. Preservation of the elephant and their trainers/drivers is pivotal not only for tourism, but more importantly to keep the values and traditions of this ancient art alive.