Koonki

Koonki (or Kunki) is a specially trained elephant used in Mela shikar to capture wild elephants. They are used to chase the wild elephants, help in lassoing and dragging them to the depot. They are particularly trained to follow the "foot commands" from their mahouts and to move silently during the entire capturing operation.[1]

Phandi commands

Following are the commands that phandis use to drive an elephant.[2]

  • Agad : Go forward
  • Pisoo/Pichoo : Go backward.
  • Dhutt/Datt : Stop
  • Beit : Lie (on belly)
  • Tere : Lie (on one side)
  • Meile/Mut : Get up

See also

References
  1. Nibha Namboodiri, ed. (July 1997). "Elephant capturing in North-Eastern India by Parbati Baruah". Practical Elephant Management - A Handbook for Mahouts. Elephant Welfare Association. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  2. Mitra, Naresh; Ray, Achintyarup (13 September 2009). "Caught in a trap". The Times of India. Kolkata: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.: 13. Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2009.


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