How Land Diving Works

# Stuff You Should Know - Land Diving Episode Summary

Josh and Chuck take you on a wild journey to Pentecost Island in Vanuatu to explore the ancient ritual of land diving, or Nagol, where brave men jump from nearly 100-foot-tall wooden platforms with only vine tethered to their ankles. The episode covers everything from the legendary origin story of how this dangerous tradition began to the modern-day ceremony, complete with superstitions, tourism dollars, and the cultural significance of the ritual for marking the transition to manhood. You'll learn how this practice actually inspired the invention of bungee jumping and why the island's government has taken steps to protect this tradition from over-commercialization.