The Kui people of Southeast Asia, often referred to as the “elephant people,” have been desperately trying to hold onto their culture.
Becoming a mahout, or elephant keeper, is much more involved than just leaping on the back of a wild elephant and holding on. Historically, mahouts have lived in many different regions, doing everything from going to war with elephants to logging teak to offering rides to tourists. (Which is now pretty much a no-no.)
These days, you are more liable to see a mahout live-streaming an elephant for their social media following than pulling teak logs through the forest.
The Kui have faced external pressures for generations as they — and their elephants — keep managing to adapt.