On the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, villagers continue to practice Naghol, or land diving — an ancient ritual considered the precursor to modern bungee jumping. Men climb tall wooden towers, sometimes over 20 meters high, and dive headfirst with only vines tied to their ankles.

The ritual is performed each spring to ensure a good yam harvest, with the belief that the closer a diver’s head comes to the ground, the more fertile the soil will be. It is both a test of courage and a sacred offering to the earth.

Participants prepare by fasting and undergoing spiritual cleansing, while the community gathers to sing, drum, and cheer. The event is dangerous, with injuries common, yet it remains a deeply respected tradition passed down through generations.

Anthropologists describe land diving as one of the world’s most striking examples of ritualized risk, blending agricultural belief with physical endurance. For outsiders, it appears extreme and “weird,” but for locals, it is a vital cultural practice that connects them to their ancestors and the land.