An incredible but dangerous tribal ceremony was caught on camera on the Pacific Island of Vanuatu.

The ancient ceremony of "land diving", filmed here on May 1, 2019, is a ritual to ensure a bountiful yam harvest.

The filmer stated: "At the time of the video, I was working on a private Super Yacht which was exploring the region and the neighbouring countries.

"The ceremony can only take place from April to June when the vines are not brittle but at their most supple for a "safe" land dive. Myself and the rest of the crew were fortunate enough to be there at the right time to witness this death defying cultural ceremony.

"The highest jump of 30m (98ft) is saved until last for the most experienced jumpers in the village. The middle platforms are for less experienced jumpers. Whilst the lowest platform is 10m (33ft) which is for boys as young as 7 years old!

"The boys' mothers watch proudly from down below as it marks their transition from childhood into manhood. Tradition dictates that the jumper must choose his vine according to his weight. It’s a gamble, the vines are carefully selected by jumpers who know that just 10 centimetres may be the difference between life and death.

"Typically between 10 - 20 boys and men jump at the ceremonies."

The ancient ceremony of "Land Diving" is a ritual to ensure a bountiful yam harvest. Divers literally bless the soil with their shoulders, gently, they hope!

At the time of the video, I was working on a private Super Yacht which was exploring the region and the neighbouring countries. The ceremony can only take place from April to June when the vines are not brittle but at their most supple for a "safe" land dive. Myself and the rest of the crew were fortunate enough to be there at the right time to witness this death defying cultural ceremony.

The highest jump of 30m (98ft) is saved until last for the most experienced jumpers in the village. The middle platforms are for less experienced jumpers. Whilst the lowest platform is 10m (33ft) which is for boys as young as 7 years old!

The boys' mothers watch proudly from down below as it marks their transition from childhood into manhood. Tradition dictates that the jumper must choose his vine according to his weight. It’s a gamble, the vines are carefully selected by jumpers who know that just 10 centimetres may be the difference between life and death.

Typically between 10 - 20 boys and men jump at the ceremonies, while behind the tower, bare-breasted women in grass skirts sing in their native tongue along with the primal chanting of a group of older men in front.