Why Tanzanians Carry Everything On Their Heads

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  • Опубліковано 20 лис 2015
  • It's hard not to notice in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania that nearly everyone impressively carries their things on their heads.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 159

  • @panzerfaust5046
    @panzerfaust5046 8 років тому +42

    if she dropped that lady's stuff this would be the most awkward story

  • @UshioKiss
    @UshioKiss 8 років тому +31

    I didn't know they used the pad thing to help -- that makes a lot of sense!
    Human heads aren't usually perfectly flat, so when my sisters and I tried to walk with books on our heads like princesses in movies learning etiquette, they'd fall. It's a different reason completely, and this looks much easier (especially after you get used to it), but I still find it interesting.

  • @stinka4079
    @stinka4079 2 роки тому +11

    Such gentle people. Thanks to them for sharing part of their culture.

  • @dullhk
    @dullhk 4 роки тому +26

    the perfect balance, adeptness and carrying capacity make me wonder if it's more ergonomic to carry things with a head.

    • @thewingedpotato6463
      @thewingedpotato6463 2 роки тому +4

      I'm sure your neck having to undergo 10-100x the strain it's meant to will still agree with you 10 years from now.

  • @matrix-theoriginal.7266
    @matrix-theoriginal.7266 4 роки тому +13

    For those wondering why they do it:
    It’s simply because it’s more comfortable,after you get used to it and mostly because you have free hands for taking and giving money or anything else.
    Sometimes they walk with these for really long rides,having those in the hands would get uncomfortable if for such a long time,trust me.
    It’s not “cultural” , simply the people of the place (and the entire continent ,we have these in almost the entire north and central Africa) are used to it because it’s convenient.

  • @strixcz
    @strixcz 8 років тому +55

    I hoped for some deeper insight than just "it's a part of their culture." :D

    • @BexLP
      @BexLP 4 роки тому +5

      Me too, like, answer the question you set yourself in a bit more depth woman. It wouldn't have become cultural if there wasn't a purpose!

    • @MentalPistol
      @MentalPistol 3 роки тому +3

      @@BexLP Cant give away all the secrets of the universe

    • @biblemiracle.wordpress.7759
      @biblemiracle.wordpress.7759 3 роки тому +1

      Compare to ancient Egyptian women...

    • @biblemiracle.wordpress.7759
      @biblemiracle.wordpress.7759 3 роки тому +2

      Yésu yitna. Christ arrive. Christ is coming. Luc 21 : 11, 27...
      La 7ème trompette. Révélation 14 : 14
      1 Corinthiens 15 : 50
      1 Thessaloniciens 4 : 16-17

    • @TraVoltage
      @TraVoltage Рік тому

      One could notice that you never carried anything heavier than a phone.

  • @fg2hj
    @fg2hj 8 років тому +74

    In Nigeria we do it too. I think it's to free your hands; multitask.

    • @fg2hj
      @fg2hj 8 років тому +7

      We also put children on our back for the same reason.

    • @EvilJapanesePie
      @EvilJapanesePie 8 років тому

      You poor thing, I would hate to live in Nigeria. Stay strong.

    • @fg2hj
      @fg2hj 8 років тому +27

      Keep your pity to yourself. I live in Ohio.

    • @originaldelta
      @originaldelta 8 років тому +4

      +fg2hj lol trust my naija folks to put ppl in their place.

    • @EvilJapanesePie
      @EvilJapanesePie 8 років тому +2

      fg2hj
      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I FEEL PITY FOR YOU EVEN MORE NOW!

  • @dylancollette9045
    @dylancollette9045 8 років тому +7

    Loving Laura's trip to Tanzania. Every video posted is highly informative and entertaining

  • @cengelwaj.chengelwa749
    @cengelwaj.chengelwa749 5 років тому +4

    Usually head-loading starts when one is a child and one eventually develops balance and gait that creates efficiency and effectiveness as one carry loads: load on head, baby on back, sometimes even pregnant (at times altogether) ... it's been a convenient way of carrying loads with ease ... a pretty much traditional and culturally determined form of "technology."

  • @Moro2Death
    @Moro2Death 8 років тому +5

    Great video, please do more videos on countries in Africa.
    I feel like coverage about Africa falls way to short.

  • @story3877
    @story3877 2 роки тому +2

    kinda curious about the effects on their spine as they age. It's got to be compressing something, right, especially heavier loads. Granted they're not hunched over, so that might help??

  • @bloodandwinearered
    @bloodandwinearered 8 років тому +1

    Well this was a fun video. Enjoyed it very much.

  • @jesshu22
    @jesshu22 8 років тому +28

    Even in India, people carry things on their heads

  • @chromatic91
    @chromatic91 8 років тому +9

    I always carry stuff on my head... makes it so much easier, especially heavy stuff like beds xD

  • @bloocantaloop
    @bloocantaloop 8 років тому +1

    They do this in Madagascar too! It is an easy way to carry heavy objects over long distances and it puts less strain on the back.

  • @JayG0o
    @JayG0o 3 роки тому +3

    I am a man and find it useful, and practising it now with a cushion on my head at home 😀

  • @pieter5867
    @pieter5867 8 років тому +102

    So, why do they do it?

    • @stealthactivated820
      @stealthactivated820 8 років тому +15

      +Pieter Knepper Because it's part of their culture i think ?

    • @artistsociety
      @artistsociety 8 років тому +4

      +Stealth Activated you saying I love you to your mom is part of our culture does it awnser why we do it

    • @stealthactivated820
      @stealthactivated820 8 років тому +5

      Artist Society Yeah that's why i said "I Think" on the end

    • @storiesofastranger
      @storiesofastranger 8 років тому +10

      +Artist Society Why do you wipe your ass with paper?

    • @artistsociety
      @artistsociety 8 років тому +1

      I use water my dear

  • @VoidUnderTheSun
    @VoidUnderTheSun 8 років тому +9

    +Seeker Stories, It's not only Tanzania who does this. I can personally attest that this is common practice in South Africa as well, and probably many other regions of Africa as well...

    • @TruthShallPrevail4
      @TruthShallPrevail4 8 років тому +1

      Common in India and I'm sure other countries as well. Salute to women and mothers. Let's see men do these chores.

    • @VoidUnderTheSun
      @VoidUnderTheSun 8 років тому

      +TruthShallPrevail4 Yep, though it happened in India too, many places I'd expect. However with your second point, I don't think that men CAN'T do that, I just think in many places men have an overinflated ego coupled with a pride that stop them doing if. As well a socialital pressure telling them it's only a thing women 'should' do.

    • @UshioKiss
      @UshioKiss 8 років тому

      +UnderTheSun It probably in the title because they have a crew in Tanzania lately, hence these recent videos. It's very cool to learn about other cultures! It's actually pretty widespread, though, and I'm sure even in older western cultures this was common, but practiced maybe differently? Same for the east and probably indigenous American groups. (At least they would carry babies on their back for the same reason.) (Of course, I expect it to be more common in Africa and South East Asia today. I'll ask my mom about her county.)
      I also don't think it's an ego, necessarily, for men, but moreso there wasn't a social need, since people do this to keep their hands free and women are doing a lot of work and multitasking with family and stuff. It's not like it's perfect but it's the reason as far as I can tell.

    • @KlearChristal
      @KlearChristal 8 років тому

      +UnderTheSun Why do you detest it? It doesn't harm any other people? Do the men not do it as well?

    • @VoidUnderTheSun
      @VoidUnderTheSun 8 років тому

      KlearChristal What? I never said I detest it. TruthShallPrevail4 said that men could not do these chores and I was arguing that men were just as capable. I'm siding with equality here.

  • @johnl1685
    @johnl1685 Рік тому +1

    I bet some of those women are looking around thinking:. " Hmm.. now where did I leave that basket?".

  • @dukenegju
    @dukenegju 6 місяців тому

    Great! How to do the scarf that works as kind of a buffer, the round shaped one? Love

  • @skipperbee
    @skipperbee 18 днів тому

    This is so cute how those women teach her and watch like a toddler taking their first steps🤣

  • @ratheonhudson3311
    @ratheonhudson3311 6 років тому

    I guess it's like how people usually go for a handshake while other people go for a hug or a kiss. Thanks for sharing this. I didn't think of it this way.

  • @hippieHawk
    @hippieHawk 2 роки тому

    The head thing.. what is it made of and how is it made?

  • @filds1
    @filds1 3 роки тому +1

    Its because of heavy load. I tried few times with dog food 10kg. If your back is straight and you balance it righ all load goes into your leg muscles. It doesnt actually harm your spine compare to when you carry it with your arms

    • @0zero560
      @0zero560 2 роки тому +1

      I refuse to believe that carrying 10 kg’s of dog food with your head can turn you into an orthopedic doctor or did you look it up and if so, why?

    • @thewingedpotato6463
      @thewingedpotato6463 2 роки тому

      @@0zero560 Apparently all that weight gets magically redistributed to your feet as if the neck/spine didn't even exist, like how they're going to be after doing this for decades.

  • @MonkeyTurtle100
    @MonkeyTurtle100 8 років тому

    When I was there, they said its just cause its really easy, they said most people could carry about 100kg on their heads if they'd been eating well

  • @wonderman1918
    @wonderman1918 7 років тому

    Best host on the internet

  • @bleh1037
    @bleh1037 5 місяців тому

    They do it because when you lift bodies above your centre of mass it be much easier to lift than lifting it below your centre of mass (near legs). Hence its more comfortable

  • @fmissark
    @fmissark 8 років тому +34

    You'll see this in many parts of the world actually

  • @bluemoondiadochi
    @bluemoondiadochi 4 роки тому +2

    I'll paste part of a comment i found as a reply, which impressed me and which points out at the the actual reason why this is done. It's by Mary Anne Brown and I quote:
    "Because otherwise how would the woman handle all those babies they need to hang onto?? I'm not trying to be funny-I'm absolutely sure that's how it got started. I have seen where they wrap the toddler (3 yr. old) in a sling on their back and then the new baby in a sling on their front. Then they are balancing their belongings on their heads and walking long distances."
    This makes the head a logical place to carry bulk and carry small children when traveling since times we were hunter gatherers.

  • @timothybooker5168
    @timothybooker5168 2 роки тому

    They do it because it’s easier to carry. Especially heavier objects. The farther above your center of gravity, the easier it is to carry. I learned that working construction carrying heavy lumber on my shoulder. The lumber felt heaviest when I tried carrying it at waist level.

    • @thewingedpotato6463
      @thewingedpotato6463 2 роки тому

      The farther above your center of gravity, the easier it is to fall over too.

  • @iknowyouwanttofly
    @iknowyouwanttofly 3 роки тому +1

    I so badly want to learn this hate groceryshopping bags digging in to my hands.

  • @domtorres779
    @domtorres779 8 років тому +3

    btw of all the countries, why Tanzania?

    • @jesshu22
      @jesshu22 8 років тому +19

      Because they are in Tanzania.

    • @cruse1177
      @cruse1177 5 років тому

      why not

  • @DOC7ORT
    @DOC7ORT 8 років тому +22

    still the question not been answered !... :)

    • @QarthCEO
      @QarthCEO 8 років тому +4

      +Bonquiqui That's a bullshit answer. The question still remains, why?

    • @MagpieEpicdude
      @MagpieEpicdude 8 років тому

      +Xaro Xhoan Daxos Due to tradition

    • @QarthCEO
      @QarthCEO 8 років тому +1

      ♫Epicsauce4000♫ Why?

    • @MagpieEpicdude
      @MagpieEpicdude 8 років тому +1

      Xaro Xhoan Daxos That is the why some people adhere to traditions they were taught as children. At least most of them and the traditions of their culture in general. There's not really much to say.

    • @topgunnah9509
      @topgunnah9509 8 років тому

      +Xaro Xhoan Daxos the same answer to "why do you follow your parents religion or beliefs?" Because you just do

  • @tomsgrexit
    @tomsgrexit 4 роки тому +1

    Native Americans also used to do this!

  • @omvalmiki401
    @omvalmiki401 4 роки тому

    actually they do it because it is far easier than carryin anywhere else on body , your movement will not get hampered, if you cannot carry on head you can not hold it elsewhere on body.

  • @svetlanab2072
    @svetlanab2072 2 місяці тому

    Какая там статистика по остеохондрозу?

  • @CarsonSchmidt419
    @CarsonSchmidt419 8 років тому

    Laura Ling's stories are great :)

  • @CamCat13
    @CamCat13 Рік тому

    Since I saw the girl in The Jungle Book carry water on her head, I gave it a try. I carry things on my head from time to time. It's less strain on my muscles in my arms

  • @razoredge435
    @razoredge435 Рік тому

    They do this in Caribbean too. Part of our African culture retained through the generations.

  • @ak88669
    @ak88669 8 років тому +2

    Now I know a trick for carrying my books at school. 😎

  • @agnesowiti9656
    @agnesowiti9656 6 років тому +1

    Not just tanzania but most African countries and that includes Kenya where I come from

  • @jagathv5384
    @jagathv5384 8 років тому +5

    A lot of African and South Asian people do this actually. It is easier to balance the weight on your head rather than strain your hands by carrying it. It seemed pretty obvious why they did it :/ Or maybe that's because I'm just used to seeing this

  • @thetillerwiller4696
    @thetillerwiller4696 3 роки тому +2

    I wanna do this 😂

  • @ChristianJiang
    @ChristianJiang 6 років тому

    Even in North Korea-I've seen many videos of the countryside and they all carry their stuff on their heads...

  • @maskenmakkan
    @maskenmakkan 8 років тому

    they have a magnet on their head i tink

  • @followingjesus2028
    @followingjesus2028 8 місяців тому

    Beautiful women! Jesus loves you! I hope to visit this beautiful country someday.

  • @martincasco4775
    @martincasco4775 8 років тому

    Here in Paraguay the chiperas do it too

  • @geraldsoria1764
    @geraldsoria1764 8 років тому

    They must have really good posture

  • @ghnativeukslave
    @ghnativeukslave 2 роки тому

    I can do this, I use to fetch water from the stream with holding it on my head.

  • @GuessTheRiddIes
    @GuessTheRiddIes 6 років тому

    They have to put things on that bucket to maintain the balance

  • @RohanOfficial
    @RohanOfficial 8 років тому +1

    My family's country :P

  • @user-im7en4hd1q
    @user-im7en4hd1q Рік тому

    They’re of God 🔥

  • @gaurdiantome8352
    @gaurdiantome8352 16 днів тому

    I was sleeping.

  • @shubham.rajmane
    @shubham.rajmane 8 років тому +2

    visit rural india..you'll find the same thing

  • @kennyapsangco9920
    @kennyapsangco9920 Рік тому

    It's easier though than using a heavy backpack

  • @thewingedpotato6463
    @thewingedpotato6463 2 роки тому

    Ergonomics > 'Culture'
    It's the 3rd world for a reason, stuff like this is the prefect explanation as to WHY.

  • @user-vd7tu7kz4j
    @user-vd7tu7kz4j 8 років тому

    Did anyone notice the black lady had a knife in her hand

  • @BigBoss-sr6ur
    @BigBoss-sr6ur 2 роки тому

    0:07
    0:08
    0:47

  • @laurenj432
    @laurenj432 3 роки тому +3

    This is impressive. It’s not an easy life they have.

  • @MyThoughtzAndOpinionz
    @MyThoughtzAndOpinionz 5 років тому

    Caribbean’s do this too. It’s very effective. So why not do it?

  • @raoulduke8720
    @raoulduke8720 2 роки тому

    They carry a lot more than that, I've seen them carry like 10kgs of bananas

  • @taylerkzz2818
    @taylerkzz2818 2 роки тому

    Center of gravity

  • @joeyo691
    @joeyo691 11 місяців тому

    Bet their necks are strong as hell

  • @gunnarmeissnest1654
    @gunnarmeissnest1654 10 місяців тому

    google says it convenient for them when no access to cars or animals like horse or donkey

  • @EvanEvans9
    @EvanEvans9 Рік тому

    They carry things on their heads because they never invented the wheel.

  • @iamd.e.e.p4707
    @iamd.e.e.p4707 2 роки тому

    Why is it crazy?

  • @cruse1177
    @cruse1177 5 років тому

    the only thing i carry on my head is laundry

    • @saintlikegrimm
      @saintlikegrimm 5 років тому

      The only thing I carry on my head is.....
      ...my hairs.

  • @eleo_b
    @eleo_b 3 роки тому

    It must be great for posture

  • @sidiye7829
    @sidiye7829 4 роки тому

    the video is fun to watch, but basically provides no substantial information about why do they do this head-carrying, only one sentence mentioning “a culture”...

  • @millaganwillagain
    @millaganwillagain 4 роки тому

    So you didn't answer the question at all!

  • @TheAlderMonster
    @TheAlderMonster 3 роки тому

    I am sorry but that is nothing. Go check guatemala city. I saw women carrying stuff on their heads without the little flat cloth in between AND the most impressive was a lady, crossing a heavily transitted street of 3 lanes, carrying cups of juice on a tray, on her head and was not using her hands at all!!!

    • @putinisaterrorist2047
      @putinisaterrorist2047 2 роки тому

      This is nothing? Dude in Africa there are women who carry more stuff. I was in Angola and i seen a woman carry a freaking fridge on her head out of her house.

  • @Jkp1321
    @Jkp1321 8 років тому

    It's not good for you though. In the long term it creates back and neck pain and even deformation of the spine

    • @blue_cameron
      @blue_cameron 5 років тому +2

      No it doesn't

    • @thewingedpotato6463
      @thewingedpotato6463 2 роки тому

      @@blue_cameron Please tell me how compressing the spinal column for extended periods of time does NOT have a detrimental effect.

  • @martino.malley9276
    @martino.malley9276 6 років тому

    Jambo. Jambo Habari. Matako Mzuri.

  • @algrimthestrong
    @algrimthestrong 5 років тому +1

    It's easier to fight off a lion attack with two hands.

  • @domtorres779
    @domtorres779 8 років тому +1

    first like and view

  • @domtorres779
    @domtorres779 8 років тому

    v first

  • @jello7177
    @jello7177 6 днів тому

    It's an african thing

  • @MsMimo07
    @MsMimo07 8 років тому

    maybe because they are too poor to affort a car or a motorcycle to transport their stuff...

  • @AF-Twice
    @AF-Twice 2 роки тому

    They carry things on their heads because they need their hands free to do other dumb things with them.. jk.

  • @nobloodforfoil
    @nobloodforfoil 5 років тому +1

    ..cmon now this is embarassing.. has 'Ms. Ling' REALLY not EVER needed to carry anything on her head before?? ..'Lifestyles of he rich', smh..
    ..when ur poor, and u have no vehicle or anyone to help u out, the ONLY easier way to carry heavier things(like dog food, or bags of potatoes, etc, etc), is on ur head..

    • @AgnusCavichioliPereira
      @AgnusCavichioliPereira 4 роки тому

      Hm... Actually it REALLY depends on the place. Here in Brazil, NO ONE, no matter how poor, carry things on the head. We tend to use just the hands, and sometimes we put the things over our shoulders, but you'll probably never see a Brazilian carrying things like in this video.