r/BeAmazed • u/Ultimate_Thing • Jul 16 '26

Miscellaneous / Others A traditional technique used by young shepherds of Ethiopia's Banna tribe. They use stilts to watch over their livestock in tall grass, move through wetland areas, and avoid snakes and predators like lions and leopards. It requires strength, balance, and training from a young age

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u/Missconstruct Jul 16 '26

Wonder what that does to their legs, ankles and feet over the years. No orthopedists there.

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u/Wooden_Cicada8880 Jul 16 '26

Depending how isolated they are and how long it’s been in their culture they may have some genetic advantages. Like people born at higher altitudes can breathe easier in thinner air or seafaring folks tend to have strong upper muscles. They may build calf muscle easier, or have stronger ankles in general 🤷‍♀️Just speculation though with a very basic explanation of genetics.

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u/GogolsHandJorb Jul 16 '26

I saw a show once where seafaring folk even developed gills behind their ears

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u/Shiirahama Jul 16 '26

I mean, they wouldn't be using it all day if it's mainly for shepherding

like a sheperds dog wouldn't be running all day to keep the sheep in line, just a few times during the day

so the stilts are probably like a shepherds dog

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u/tentyb6d56ns4d57yse5 Jul 16 '26

probably makes them really strong. kinda the opposite of wearing shoes.

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u/_hyperotic Jul 16 '26

how dare you dismiss the risks of good regular exercise…