Stilts

The Stilt walking is a widespread all over the globe playful activity in which one walks around on stilts for pleasure. Even with numerous entertainers meetings or folk festivals usually provide professional stilt for attention.

• 3.1 stilts to hold
• 3.2 stilts for strapping

History

The use of stilts for the purpose of public entertainment in the middle ages is assumed to be very likely.

Practical use

In Europe

But before a fun use exclusively focused on the practical use of stilts attached to your legs to Overcome flooded or swampy terrain.

Known for its stilt the French Landes department was where the resident shepherds used stilts belted in the 19th century in the swamp once to guard their sheep of approaching wolves and also for crossing wet areas. A third carried Stilt served as the seat for resting. Also in the Netherlands were stilts to equip farmers to cross the numerous ditches and canals.

Other countries

In California and also in Morocco stilt walkers were used in the fruit harvest. Even washing windows in the U.S. or working on roofs and chimneys stilt were used and for painting high ceilings you put also a stilt.

Ritual use in Africa

Mainly in the West African countries of stilts also belonged to the ritual practices of the shamans. Children was for this reason among the Dogon in Mali, the use of stilts prohibited. In Togo, however, the run always at feasts was common on stilts.

Stilt walking as a game

Especially children use the stilts to play. These serve both betting stilts or even hung on a rope candy, which can be reached without the help of the hands with the mouth only on stilts. Another variant of the stilts is that all children have to follow the leader, then a course is that does not stop even obstacles. Stilts as a toy already documented Pieter Bruegel the Elder in his 1560 resulting Kids picture.

In pageants and parades circus stilt walkers are on long wooden tradition. Also Carnivals in southern countries know the stilts, here as there, where the stilts are hidden by long robes.

Stilts types

Basically, stilt stilts to hold and can be distinguished at a fixed buckles.

Stilts to hold

Typical Toy stilts are covered with the arms and hands and pressed tightly to the body, the feet stand on running boards, so that a rapid jumping is guaranteed at risk of tripping. Running requires a good coordination of leg and arm movements. Most stilts made ​​of wood or light metal are made. Often the stand height is adjustable.

Stilts for strapping

Stilts, as they use craftsmen and artists are strapped to the legs. The arms remain free. However, a jumping is not possible. Therefore requires running with these stilts lot of practice. Subspecies of stilts for strapping:

• Point stilts consist essentially of a rod with footrest and straps to strap the foot and calf. Since the stilts only have a small contact area at the bottom is the stilt constantly forced to " toddle " to preserve the balance.
• Craftsman stilts are equipped with an aluminum mechanics. These stilts allow transmission of ankle movement on a fußgroße base plate. This allows you to stand still. This facilitates the stilts even under cramped conditions and under harsh terrain. Originally developed for craftsmen such as painters or decorators as " mobile ladder ".
• Jump stilts are a special kind of point stilts, they are equipped with springs and allowing jumping on stilts like jumping on a trampoline (See bouncing ). Even Salti can use it to jump to.

Worth knowing

• The southwestern French baker Sylvain Dornon from Arcachon made ​​it in 1891, in 58 days from Paris to Moscow on stilts ( about 3000 miles) to run.
• In Togo in Africa ( a country with a great tradition stilts ) will take place in February 2005 every year in the city Atakpamé a stilt hard place. The longest stilts will measure the five meters.