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Polishing an elephant figurine in Yang Tao village 1

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posted on 2025-10-31, 11:36 authored by Cécile de FrancquenCécile de Francquen
Mai Xiu is polishing the figuring of an elephant (Yo, in Mnong) with a small stone. This is the first of three polishing steps, that happens right when the clay is dry enough to not stick to the stone. The action of polishing is called “ɲoh”.

Funding

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

History

Session

Y36

Rights owner

Cécile de Francquen

Title alt

Đánh bóng tượng voi ở xã Yang Tao 1

Description alt

Mai Xiu đang mài bóng một pho tượng hình con voi (Yo, bằng tiếng Mnông) bằng một hòn sỏi nhỏ. Đây là bước đầu tiên trong ba bước đánh bóng, ngay khi đất sét đủ khô để không dính vào đá. Hành động đánh bóng được gọi là “ɲoh”.

Cultural group

Mnong Rlam

Participants

H’Huyên Bhôk (Mai Xiu)

Country

Viet Nam

Place

Yang Tao, Lắk District, Đắk Lắk province

Item/object

Elephant figurine

Techniques of production

Pottery – brunishing

Materials

Mineral-clay, Ceramic-pottery, Stone

Materials alt

Uk (Mnong for clay), Dlah (Mnong for pottery), Mau (Mnong for stone)

Cultural context/event

General production

Location

Courtyard

Temporality

The first polishing happens when the surface is dry enough to not stick to the stone. It is directly followed by the thinning of the walls, by scraping the inside.

Intent

This first polishing step aims at compacting the surface and filling the pores and smooth the irregularities of the surface. It creates a smooth but regularly striped surface.

Date of creation

2023-07-24

Unique ID

2020SG03-Y36-0292

Usage metrics

    Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

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