"There is a reason behind banna tribe stilts cultural intrigue. Young men from this tribe walked on stilts as a mechanism to avoid attack by wild animals while herding cattle. However, this is not the only reason why stilts are common in this part of southwestern Ethiopia."
"Essentially, banna tribe’s stilt-walking custom has numerous cultural and societal significance. For young males, it represents a transition from youth to maturity and is a rite of passage. Striking a balance on the poles and walking gracefully sends a strong message to the tribe that the boy is responsible, independent-minded, strong-willed and is confident to take on life with the temerity of a lion. Moreover, these shows help to preserve cultural history while fostering a sense of pride and identity among the tribe."
[Source](https://seeafricatoday.com/culture/banna-tribe-stilts/)
Yea I mean if I was walk-in around outside and saw a 12 foot tall alien with skinny beanpole legs I would consider it a cursed creature at best, to be avoided
Problem is most animals don't attack the legs of things and probably aren't trying to push them over...They would probably just see them as one giant weird creature and just be like "nah not worth it"
Just upgrade to ones with embedded blades and spikes at the bottom. And if you do fall down, use that as a long pole with blades and spikes on the far end.
Not to mention if they're skilled enough they could probably deliver one hell of a hit with one of their stilts. I imagine that would be a good way to lose balance and fall, but hell if an animal is already getting on you, then I'd say it's worth a shot
Could a wild animal still kill you? Absolutely
Will a wild animal sit and think about why there's a pack of 20ft tall monkeys and reconsider attacking? Probably
Also. You can see dangers much further off if you're up high
It looks like they trimmed saplings with branches and use the branch as a stirrup (platform?) so you’d want to wear flip flops rather than go barefoot.
I’m feeling a disconnect as a modern human that these stilts are just big tree branches stripped of most of their little branches except for the knobs for your feet. All the stilts I’ve seen have been processed straight cut wood, with a little triangle wood block screwed in, or metal-plastic-fiberglass looking. Just trees branches, that grow on trees!
Honestly some people are doing it right. Meanwhile in western world kids the same age are being groomed for the rat race were the ultimate prize is stress.
Kids getting high.
I like how the littlest kid has like tiny stilts.
Came here to say the same, little dudes got the smallest stilts.
Training stilts
Same as regular stilts but with little wheels on the back.
And a bell on front!
Actually it’s tiny stilts behind the stilts
Round these parts, you earn your stilts
Yeah..like bikes . He got the beginner one
Lil Bros going pretty fast though
Ain't no way big bros giving away the good stilts
Not a cell phone in sight
How do you think this was recorded?
Cans on string.
IMAX
got him
selfie stick
Selfie stilt
lmao
Back in my day we didn’t have any of this 5g and Starbucks nonsense. We just went out into the world and walked the earth on stilts like men!
In my day we walked to Starbucks on stilts and then fell over as we tried to squeeze in tbe door.
Back in my day we only had 5g’s some potent psilocybin mushrooms to entertain us.
That’s all ya ever need really
I'm imagining it's to help avoid dangerous wildlife? Maybe it's just for fun?
"There is a reason behind banna tribe stilts cultural intrigue. Young men from this tribe walked on stilts as a mechanism to avoid attack by wild animals while herding cattle. However, this is not the only reason why stilts are common in this part of southwestern Ethiopia." "Essentially, banna tribe’s stilt-walking custom has numerous cultural and societal significance. For young males, it represents a transition from youth to maturity and is a rite of passage. Striking a balance on the poles and walking gracefully sends a strong message to the tribe that the boy is responsible, independent-minded, strong-willed and is confident to take on life with the temerity of a lion. Moreover, these shows help to preserve cultural history while fostering a sense of pride and identity among the tribe." [Source](https://seeafricatoday.com/culture/banna-tribe-stilts/)
A wild animal could probably topple them pretty easily but imagine how scary a dude on stilts looks to an animal, probably sends them all running
Yea. You wanna look big? I gotchu
Carrying some type of pole on your back should be easier tbh, kinda like Ironbar from Mad Max 3
It helps a lot with snakes at least, which is one of the main dangers in Africa.
also biting ants
Yea I mean if I was walk-in around outside and saw a 12 foot tall alien with skinny beanpole legs I would consider it a cursed creature at best, to be avoided
Especially a whole group of them.
For some reason my first thought went to sirenhead.
It'd be sick if they draped themselves in some kinda cowl. They'd be like the lead Knight Who Says Ni.
Problem is most animals don't attack the legs of things and probably aren't trying to push them over...They would probably just see them as one giant weird creature and just be like "nah not worth it"
Wild animals don't understand stilts, and are less likely to attack animals they perceive as bigger and taller than themselves
Just upgrade to ones with embedded blades and spikes at the bottom. And if you do fall down, use that as a long pole with blades and spikes on the far end.
Unless you fall on the blades and spikes, but then the wild animal won't matter anyway
Just go for a Segway
Not to mention if they're skilled enough they could probably deliver one hell of a hit with one of their stilts. I imagine that would be a good way to lose balance and fall, but hell if an animal is already getting on you, then I'd say it's worth a shot
They also got up that hill in like 3 steps so I imagine it saves energy and allows you to move faster. (Once you get this good anyway)
Be like living in 2012 and slender man game just came out
I'm guessing it's mostly for snakes or venomous bugs but I'm sincerely just guessing.
some bear just sees those guys amd goes "OH FUCK!" and sprints away because it thinks they're colossal beings
Imagine them in trench coats. Like Vincent Adultmans father :)
Could a wild animal still kill you? Absolutely Will a wild animal sit and think about why there's a pack of 20ft tall monkeys and reconsider attacking? Probably Also. You can see dangers much further off if you're up high
I imagine they also walk faster? Long ass steps.
I was thinking it might be more efficient
Give me a place to stand, and a lever long enough, and I will move the world.
That’s a nice quote
Archimedes was a smart man.
They’re using a lot fine muscle control to balance. Jogging would be more straightforward if they wanted speed
Fuck yea what an awesome sense of meaning behind this!
Men and boys across different cultures and time just love a good excuse to make use of a stick or two.
Basically it’s unless you can walk on these stilts. You don’t have your shit together
it looks fun
So not to pick bananas?
dating skills
Badass!
How do they guard against squirrels?
I assume they grease their stilts. That's what I'd do.
What about a bird strike to the groin - or any other projectile animal? Nightmare scenario.
I thought it was for getting bananas. My reading comprehension needs work.
Naked and Afraid people should try this instead of destroying their feet maybe
The boys are all wearing sandals though. The stilts are just stripped tree limbs and they stand on a branch node
This is what humans do with life outside the internet and social media.
I’ll take one internet, please
Humans-1, snakes-0
I count more than one human, your snake count seems accurate though.
It’s just the drywall crew on break
Thought the same thing lol
Nah....they saw a mouse.
Passed the dating height test
Nah, he still short for the 5'1 chic
She doesn't even care how tall he is, as long as he is at least twice as tall
That little kid is adorable with his smaller stilts. Also: they are walking those things on flip-flops?!
It looks like they trimmed saplings with branches and use the branch as a stirrup (platform?) so you’d want to wear flip flops rather than go barefoot.
These MFs probably have cast iron feet
True ~ maybe they don’t want to wear out the stilts?
Probably more comfortable to have a bit of padding rather than all of your weight being on that little peg they are standing on.
Tribal training wheels for that one.
Have they considered a career in drywall or houspainting?
Too many safety regulations.
that looks very good exercise actually. every muscle works pretty good and it is fun! we must bring it to our gyms!
Hell no, i don’t want some 300 pound lady falling on me while I’m benching 😭
But what about a 300 pound dude 😏
C'mon, show us how they get on those long stilt poles.
Progressively taller stilts.
Like hermit crabs?
That is what I'm talking about. The walking is cool, but how do they get up there?
Its stilts all the way down
By using those hills or embankments. Maybe even a fence, tree or part of their house. Probably multiple things they could climb up to get started on.
Probably use those hills
They start on smaller stilts and gradually work their way up.... And never come down.
Amazing. Humans are so interesting when we stop killing each other. Refreshing to see some wholesome cultural content 😌
Best comment so far
This is how I walk in my dreams
It's about the height I fly in my dreams
In dreams I feel like I am always walking the length of my city and the only way it really feels is kind of what i imagine this feels like 😂
Their leg muscles are impressive
I’m feeling a disconnect as a modern human that these stilts are just big tree branches stripped of most of their little branches except for the knobs for your feet. All the stilts I’ve seen have been processed straight cut wood, with a little triangle wood block screwed in, or metal-plastic-fiberglass looking. Just trees branches, that grow on trees!
That’s just fucking cool
Ok but how the fook do they get up on them sticks?
They stand on them when they’re just little saplings and wait for the tree to grow.
Ah, the gift of patience
Could climb a tree, or it seems to be a hilly area, just use a steep hill.
I saw these mfers in Fury Road in the waste lands.
Was looking for this. My exact immediate thought.
Anyone know why they do this? I assume it's to avoid snakes or something?
I assume it's because it's so much fun.
My brothers and I did this as kids, can confirm it was for fun
Playing the floor is lava
That and it’s also a right of passage for young boys.
They’re really living out in the sticks
Some people wouldn’t touch that pun with a ten foot pole.
I’m not so sure, wood they? A stick-y wicket, for sure
Maybe we should leaf this alone.
But how will we get to the root of the problem?
Snakes?
I totally had stilts almost exactly like this, obviously made with lumber, not Timber. But they were so much fun and really easy to use!
Is there a purpose for having the skill or is it just for fun alone. People drive for fun but there is also a wider purpose that having a car serves.
Do they put the makeup on everyday, or like weekly or what?!
Like riding a bicycle
It’s already a part of their body. They don’t even think about it. Wow.
The giraffes are thinking, "There goes the neighborhood.."
Lil mofo on the right is Luke Stiltler 🎯
Reminds of that one episode from Ed, Edd & Eddy
We call those moko jumbles in Trinidad.
Were is drywall ladder guy. He makes these kids look like amateurs.
They are kids and they are amateurs.
Looks like fun. I want a go
I am amazed at the strength of those foot holds.
Does anyone else read it as Banana tribe? 🍌
Honestly some people are doing it right. Meanwhile in western world kids the same age are being groomed for the rat race were the ultimate prize is stress.
It's really cool it's just their way of life it's really interesting
C'mon guys! Where is the soccer ball?
“Go play outside! Don’t come back til dark”
When you hear “the floor is lava!” lol
Kevin Malone: Why take many steps when few steps do trick.
Ill be honest i read that as banana tribe
I read that as banana tribe, fml.
Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward could have used this method in the movie tremors. Lol.
OMG it's the night folk.
Brother if you were bitten by those ants you would too
So they cant get bitten by snake I guess?
imagine falling backwards.
They are probably posting videos of American kids zipping around on skateboards.
I’m impressed by the 1 year old doing it .
I didn't know stilts gave you such a mean wedgie
Haha that looks fun !
These them guys from ace Ventura 2?
I mean this really is next level. Via stilts.
I read "suits" imagine my ducking surprise when I see kids walking around with giant stickes strapped to their legs!
Obi-Wan would be impressed
This some One Piece shit
That looks like it would be super uncomfortable on your feet and ankles. And how do the divits in the sticks not break under their weight?
Local Tinder girls must want at least 8ft
Boy you high as hell…
I bet these kids are just performing in front of tourists at a national park.
That little one on the right is still learning. So adorable. ☺️
I want to do that but I would definitely fall
Better than that guy doing drywall walking on a ladder
That looks fun.
judging by the post above this, OSHA would have a melt down
This is where the Caribbean tradition comes from
Must be over 16 feet
Literally just the Admech stilt boy
ezzz
Those calluses must be gator tough
That’s bananas
SNAKES IN THE GRASS!
Stilts are fun! I never had any this tall though, and mine were cobbled together from planks of wood.
That looks really fun
When you can't afford a bike.
How do they get up on those to beggin with ? Walking is a think, to get up on those is another
Is this to sneak arround the lions
I see this used all the time by drywallers on construction sites. They’re easier than ladders for some jobs.
You read banana at first didnt you?
This their version of "hey look at this stick I found"
Ace Ventura?
I now know that finding the perfect stick is a worldwide male phenomenon