Where Did It Start?
“It’s the most amazing sport I’ve ever tried!” That’s what fans say. Bungee jumping started with the people of Vanuatu in the Pacific. They jumped from towers with their ankles tied with vines. Some students from Oxford University saw a film of the people jumping. They decided to copy this ancient practice. Since then, bungee jumping has become popular around the world.
However, land diving is not a game for the people of Vanuatu. This ritual has an important meaning for the people.Men and boys dive from towers to show their courage and strength. If their hair touches the ground, they believe that the action will fertilize the ground. They believe it will help their yam crops grow. Each village builds at least one tall wooden tower every April.
Villagers remove all the rocks near the tower. Then they cut vines to the right size. They want their heads to barely touch the ground when they jump. But the vines can't be too long. They don't want their heads to get too close to the ground! The boys jump first. They jump from platforms that are 19–20 feet (6 meters) high. Men jump from higher platforms. As a man prepares to jump, his friends tie vines to his ankles. Then he raises his hands and gives a speech. The people below stop singing, dancing, and whistling. The performer crosses his arms over his chest. He leans forward until he falls off the tower. Sometimes the vines break. However, the slope and the soft soil help prevent bad accidents.