I love the natural world and all of its wonders. Planet Earth is an incredibly magical place, and I think it's important for man to take the time to truly appreciate the miracles and mysteries surrounding the formation of our home, the evolution of its inhabitants, and the remarkable beauty of its drama.
For this reason, I have decided to start a series of threads highlighting some of the most incredible scenes found right here on Earth.
Thread #1: Vanuatu Land Divers
700 miles off the Eastern coast of Australia lies Pentecost Island; a 37 mile tropical island of the Pacific.
Between April and June of each year, the native Vanuatu men climb towers made of wood, some over 100 feet tall, and tie tree vines to their ankles.
The Vanuatu are the earliest known bungee jumpers. Men plummet towards the earth while other members of the tribe converge in song and dance. This practice is known as the N'Gal Ceremony. But the purpose of this ritual goes beyond the simple seek of a thrill.
Vanuatu land divers symbolically perform the act of fertilization by attempting to come as close to the ground as possible without injuring themselves. Some men are so talented at this art, the hair on their head brushes the earth before the tree vines recoil.
Those who come short of touching the ground fail to bless the upcoming harvest. Those who fall too far lost their lives.
Land diving is also an act of trust, as each diver uses a vine cut and tied by another member of the tribe. Men are allowed to yell anything they desire before they jump. Even the most horrid and terrifying statements are accepted, as these words could be a man's last.
Today, the practice is also used symbolically to represent the transition of boy to man. Beginners jump from modest heights, and move increasingly higher each year.
Here are some photos, as well as a video of this magnificent event:
I first saw those guys a very long time ago on ABC's wide world of sports.
I remember that way back when, the precursor to bungee jumping, only one hell of a lot more extreme, IMHO!!
I think there was something on it in National Geographic, maybe back in the seventies, if my memory serves me correct. Dam glad to be a poor dumb white boy from NY, if that is a traditional right of passage!!!
_________________ ------------------------------------------------------- "I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them" Neil Young
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:45 pm Posts: 3021 Location: So far away
For all the great traditions and knowledge that can be passed from ancient cultures to those of today...this surely is not one of them.
Today, when a x-games wannabe ties a bungee cord to his feet, jumps off the nearest bridge and ends up in the ER or worse, people appropriately call him or others like him a jackass.
Just because this culture hasn't managed to move on and eliminate a deadly and pointless ritual doesn't mean there's anything special about it. Jumping off a tall place with an unreliable means of landing is still pretty dumb, no matter what the excuse/reason/tradition.
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:10 am Posts: 7477 Location: 2,568 miles from the F'n arena
Sabresfansince1980 wrote:
Just because this culture hasn't managed to move on and eliminate a deadly and pointless ritual doesn't mean there's anything special about it. Jumping off a tall place with an unreliable means of landing is still pretty dumb, no matter what the excuse/reason/tradition.
Oh but it's still awesome.
Just like the running of the bulls or the Kirkwall Ba
For all the great traditions and knowledge that can be passed from ancient cultures to those of today...this surely is not one of them.
Today, when a x-games wannabe ties a bungee cord to his feet, jumps off the nearest bridge and ends up in the ER or worse, people appropriately call him or others like him a jackass.
Just because this culture hasn't managed to move on and eliminate a deadly and pointless ritual doesn't mean there's anything special about it. Jumping off a tall place with an unreliable means of landing is still pretty dumb, no matter what the excuse/reason/tradition.
Awesome yes, as far as watching other people hurt themselves for your viewing pleasure. Not so awesome in any other way I can think of off hand.
I haven't seen anyone get hurt in all of the footage of land diving I've looked up.
What makes it so amazing is the fact that their spiritualism and evolution has lead them to believe that this ritual is essential for a productive harvest.
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:45 pm Posts: 3021 Location: So far away
Your first post says that some of them get killed.
"What makes it so amazing is the fact that their spiritualism and evolution has lead them to believe that this ritual is essential for a productive harvest."
Amazing, sort of, but I suppose we're taking opposite angles on that defenition.
Your first post says that some of them get killed.
"What makes it so amazing is the fact that their spiritualism and evolution has lead them to believe that this ritual is essential for a productive harvest."
Amazing, sort of, but I suppose we're taking opposite angles on that defenition.
Yes, when you engage in a thrill seeking event, there is a risk of death.
But you make it sound like I've posted this because I enjoy seeing people get seriously hurt.
Quote:
Awesome yes, as far as watching other people hurt themselves for your viewing pleasure. Not so awesome in any other way I can think of off hand.
My response to that was that none of the videos I have seen show anyone getting hurt.
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:45 pm Posts: 3021 Location: So far away
Ugh, you're reading into my responses again. If someone wants to hurt themselves on video and I can watch it later with some popcorn, after the result is far beyond my control, I'm gonna do it. I'll probably have some fun with it, marveling at the idiocy of man.
Someone really should explain to these guys that chancing death has no effect on their crops. Maybe they know this already, but find their usual day rather mundane. Maybe they just need laptops, and to learn solitaire or backgammon.
Ugh, you're reading into my responses again. If someone wants to hurt themselves on video and I can watch it later with some popcorn, after the result is far beyond my control, I'm gonna do it. I'll probably have some fun with it, marveling at the idiocy of man.
Someone really should explain to these guys that chancing death has no effect on their crops. Maybe they know this already, but find their usual day rather mundane. Maybe they just need laptops, and to learn solitaire or backgammon.
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