印尼奇葩爬油杆節：慶祝民族獨立

Indonesia declared its independence from the Netherlands on August 17, 1945 in one of the first acts of post-war decolonisation.
印度尼西亞近日舉行慶典慶祝民族獨立。1945年8月17日，印尼從荷蘭殖民者獲得獨立，成爲二戰後首先獨立的殖民國家之一。

The colourful independence celebrations draw upon the many traditions of Indonesian culture, including bizarre tests of agility and strength.
多彩紛呈的獨立慶典活動中有許多取自印尼文化傳統，包括其中一些測試人的靈活性和體力的奇葩活動。

During World War II Indonesia had been invaded by Japan and following their surrender Indonesian nationalists declared independence.
在二戰期間，印度尼西亞曾遭到日本入侵，在日本投降之後印尼的愛國人士宣佈了民族獨立。

The Dutch tried to resist the independence movement, eventually accepting defeat after four years following pressure from the United Nations.
荷蘭人竭力鎮壓印尼的獨立運動，最終在四年苦戰之後，迫於聯合國的壓力，承認印尼爲獨立國家。

One of the most bizarre parts of the Indonesian independence celebrations is the Panjat Pinang competition where men clamber up greased poles.
在印尼的獨立慶典活動中，最奇詭的活動之一就是一種爬杆比賽，選手要爬上塗了油脂的木樁。

The Panjat Pinang game was introduced to Indonesia by the Dutch colonists, who placed prizes at the top of the pole during special occasions for entertainment.
爬杆比賽是荷蘭殖民者帶到印尼的，殖民者在某種娛樂活動中，會將禮品放在木樁頂上，讓人爬上去取。

Because the poles are covered in grease or oil, one man is unable to clamber up unaided as they are unable to grip and climb at the same time.
由於木樁上塗滿了黃油或油脂，選手不能同時抓緊木杆和往上攀爬，因而必須藉助另一個人的協助。

As a result, the men form teams where they help each other on the understanding that they split the goodies from the top of the pole equally.
所以，兩個人會先協商好，平等分配木樁頂上的獎品，然後組成一組，相互幫助。

In an amazing feat of strength, one man grapples with the base of the pole while his friends use him as a ladder to get to the goodies from the top.
於是，一個人抱緊木樁的底部，他的同伴把他當做人梯往上爬，已取得木樁頂上的貨物。這就形成了一項挑戰人類體力的令人驚歎的競技項目。