Stick Walk

Among the Banna people of Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley, the tradition of stilt-walking—executed by young men on slender wooden poles a few metres high—is both a practical skill and a deeply symbolic rite of passage.

Historically, the stilts enabled herders to navigate marshy terrain, tall grasses, and snake-infested land while guiding cattle, giving them a height advantage to spot predators and avoid dangers.

Over time, this survival technique evolved into ceremonial displays: boys paint their bodies with white stripes, don stilt-walking props during festivals, and demonstrate balance and agility to signify readiness for adulthood.

Although modern changes have reduced its everyday practicality, the custom remains a vivid element of Banna identity, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.