Nangol or Land diving

Cessna Airclub Vila

Nangol or Land diving is one of the most impressive custom in Vanuatu.
I was lucky enough to witness this yearly event happening during the
wet season on the remote island of  Pentecost .
We hired a small plane from Port Vila  and of we went for a couple of flight hours above the water and this without incident youhou!!!







Grass streep landing, one more hour drive in a ute, and there we are near this 20+ meters high tower ready for the thrill (actually you don't do it yourself which is a relief.....)

Jump

safe landing

Couldn't believe the power of the culture which lead these guys to jump from there on the turf.
I must say that it sound more stupid than it really is.
For starter the tower is timber which is sort of flexible, then the vines they use, which have some elasticity and are soft due to the rainy conditions, are customized to body size and weight, when the body almost touch the ground, the board they jump from is breaking as a damper before landing on the "soft" ground.... Ouf.....

top of the tower and top of his world

It was a very powerful experience with the all tribe united in the background, cheering and chanting, if you can one day attend this event, go for it before it's gone for ever.

Thanks for reading