Capturing Kindred Spirits: Community, Belonging,and Life with Elephants
By Rosie - 6 week photography intern
I came to the KSES sanctuary with an interest in wildlife photography, as an approaching 3rd year photography student at University, I wanted to develop my skills and understand whether this is a career path I wanted to follow. However, I wasn't expecting to find so much more from this experience! I believe I have been able to find a sense of belonging in this small, remote village, which is crazy to think when coming here feeling so disconnected from society, I think I have managed to find the strongest of connections here.
In my time here, I've been given so many opportunities to interact with the local community, staff, fellow interns and not to mention all the village dogs! Making friendships that I can carry for a lifetime. Taking time to teach the young children at the primary school within the lower village was enriching because I was not only teaching them English, but they managed to get me learning some Karen phrases too. In addition to this, one of my first experiences of being immersed into the community happened within my first week, where in our weekly village English lessons, we managed to get the local ladies and children involved in dancing, which truly bought a smile to my face.
In my short stay here, I got the chance to join a celebration of Geeju, which is a traditional Karen event which takes place at the beginning and/or ending of harvesting seasons, in which family members come together and enjoy blessings and welcoming home. This was one of my most favourite memories here, as I felt a sense of belonging within their community and cultural traditions, drinking rice whisky with them and sharing amazing food! However, I feel there was more to this day, in how everyone would welcome home family members so they could all celebrate together after a long period of hard work and dedication during the harvesting season. These moments have opened my eyes to a different way of living, understanding love, family and celebration in another form.
Nevertheless, I really came here to photograph the elephants and learn more about the ethical ways to conserve the environment they inhabit. On my daily hikes to observe the elephants, I was able to witness how much the elephant’s echoed humans, through behaviours, social bonds and emotional depth. Elephants live in close-knit matriarchal family groups, where cooperation and care for one another are essential — much like human families and communities. I was brought a sense of warmness to see the elephants so comfortable in the natural environments they inhabit, which is how it should be. A few moments I'll never forget from seeing the elephants, is the closeness and bonds they managed to form with their mahouts, as I feel this always goes under looked. I remember watching Dachee (Sri Prai's mahout) pressing his body up against her side, almost like a cuddle. There was a clear sense of love he had within that moment for Sri Prai. I also enjoyed the many times that all the mahouts would playfully interact with Junior, as if he was a friend of theirs.
My time at KSES has shown me that this sanctuary is not only a place for protecting elephants and giving them a place of belonging, but also a space where community and mutual care for one another thrive. It is as much about people as it is about elephants, as I've been able to feel at home here in my 6 weeks. I believe I have been guided in a future career path, but most importantly learnt the value of presence — to disconnect, to slow down, and to fully immerse myself in each experience.
I am deeply grateful to KSES staff and everyone here, who has made my experience so enjoyable! I will never forget the people, the elephants, the dogs and many memories I have spent here!
