Sailing NV · video

What this video covers

The crew of the Open 66 NV anchors in Homo Bay on the western side of Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, to observe the traditional land diving ritual.2:01 This annual ceremony, performed every Saturday from April through June, involves men and boys jumping from wooden towers reaching heights of nearly 19 meters.9:25 Divers secure their ankles with tree vines, which are selected by village elders to match the jumper's height and weight.8:39 The tower construction takes three to five days and relies on freshly cut wood and vines, using no nails or screws.7:06 To ensure safety, villagers churn the soil beneath the tower to soften the landing area and remove stones.7:28 A critical component of the jump involves a man on the platform using a machete to weaken the support structure at the moment of impact, which causes the platform to collapse and absorb the diver's momentum.20:38 The ritual serves as a rite of passage for boys and is believed to ensure a successful yam harvest.16:23

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