- This unique practice, found in villages like Gazer and Dimeka, originally emerged from the practical need to safeguard herders from wild animals and treacherous wetland areas, but has since evolved into a respected rite of passage and cultural display.
- Secured firmly around their calves, these stilts enable the young men to confidently stride above the dusty ground, captivating audiences and showcasing their strength and balance.
In southern Ethiopia, the Banna tribe upholds a captivating tradition: young men walking atop towering wooden stilts handmade by local craftsmen.
This unique practice, found in villages like Gazer and Dimeka, originally emerged from the practical need to safeguard herders from wild animals and treacherous wetland areas, but has since evolved into a respected rite of passage and cultural display.
During yearly festivals and community events, adolescent boys demonstrate their prowess on stilts that can reach heights of up to two meters. Secured firmly around their calves, these stilts enable the young men to confidently stride above the dusty ground, captivating audiences and showcasing their strength and balance.
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Once an essential survival skill, stilt-walking now represents courage, discipline, and a rite of passage into adulthood.
This practice holds deep social significance. Those who excel at it gain admiration from both elders and their peers, signifying their readiness to assume adult responsibilities such as herding cattle, participating in ceremonies, and forming families.
It also fosters a sense of unity within the community, serving as a reminder of the collective history and identity that has been passed down through generations.
In recent years, this visually striking tradition has drawn the attention of tourists, photographers, and cultural scholars. Such visitors bring economic prospects for local craftspeople who carve stilts, weave baskets, and produce beadwork for sale at local markets.
However, the rising external interest poses challenges: modernisation, changing lifestyles, and formal education threaten to divert younger generations from these ancestral customs.
To preserve the tradition, community leaders and cultural advocates are actively passing down stilt-making and performance skills to the youth. Their initiatives help ensure that the ritual remains an integral part of Banna's identity, rather than merely a spectacle for tourists.
As the young men of the Banna tribe elevate themselves above the fields on wooden stilts, they carry not just height, but also history, pride, and a dedication to moving forward while honouring their roots. It serves as a potent reminder that in this unique region of Ethiopia, tradition remains firmly established.
