Vanuatu Travel - Land Diving on Pentecost
Land Diving - Preparation and Celebration
Pentecost, Vanuatu
Land Diving - One of the world's most death-defying cultural ceremonies - and why bungee jumping appears to be not so brave:
Nanggol or Gol in the local language of the southern part of the Pentecost Island of Vanuatu is a ritual performed in the months of April, May and June by the men to honor the yam harvest and to express their masculinity. People believe that land diving can enhance health and strength with removing physical problems that had its origins in the wet season as well as fertilize the soil with their hair touching the grounds.
Men jump off 20-30 meters high wooden towers with a speed as high as 70kmh and without any special safety equipment but two vines wrapped around their ankles.
- Filename
- Vanuatu-Land-Diving015.jpg
- Copyright
- Christina Czybik christina@christinaczybik.com
- Image Size
- 4972x3213 / 3.9MB
- Contained in galleries
- Around the World - Personal