Who Are the Bunong?
The Bunong (also Phnong, Mnong) are an indigenous Austroasiatic people numbering approximately 40,000-50,000 inhabiting the northeastern provinces of Cambodia (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Kratie) and adjacent areas of Vietnam. The Bunong belong to Cambodia's highland minority groups (collectively called Montagnards or Khmer Loeu—"Upper Khmer"), distinct from lowland Khmer majority. Traditionally, the Bunong practiced swidden agriculture (slash-and-burn cultivation) growing dry rice, vegetables, and cash crops, supplemented by hunting, fishing, and gathering forest products. The Bunong are renowned for their relationship with Asian elephants—traditionally, Bunong communities captured and trained wild elephants for labor (logging, transport), developing sophisticated elephant husbandry knowledge and spiritual beliefs venerating elephants. Elephants featured centrally in Bunong ceremonies, mythology, and economic life. Bunong society organized through matrilineal clans with animistic spiritual beliefs honoring forest spirits, ancestors, and practicing elaborate buffalo sacrifice ceremonies. Traditional governance featured village councils and spiritual leaders. The Bunong language (Bunong) belongs to Bahnaric branch of Austroasiatic family. Modern challenges include rapid deforestation destroying traditional lands, land concessions to agribusiness plantations (rubber, cashews), declining elephant populations (wild elephants nearly extinct in region, captive elephants aging), cultural erosion from Khmer cultural dominance, and economic marginalization. Indigenous rights organizations advocate for Bunong land rights, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.