The Art of Head-Carrying WOMEN (Guinea-Bissau)

No matter where you go on the African continent, you can see women carrying heavy loads of goods on the top of their heads and it's fascinating! Many of them can carry up to 70% of their body weight, which is nearly impossible to do with just your two hands.

I'm here in Guinea-Bissau, the tiny Portuguese-speaking West African nation, and I wanted to dedicate this video entirely to these strong women who have an impressive sense of balance.

I tried to walk 5 steps with 30 kilos of rice on my head, and it's a LOT harder than I thought...

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WHO AM I?
My name is Drew Binsky and I am going to all 197 countries in the world. I make daily travel videos about people, culture and anything else I find interesting on the road. My ultimate goal is to inspire you to travel far and wide, because our planet is beautiful!

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CONTACT ME:
drew (at) drewbinsky (dot) com

[shuababdi]

Today I met a Malay traveler in Sofia, Bulgaria. When I asked him what inspired him to travel he said Drew Binsky...so here I am watching Drew’s youtube videos for 3 hrs now 😂😂😂

[grandmagertrude]

everyone: *speaks french*
drew: this portugese speaking nation

[m.a.fayoumi]

" This Portuguese speaking nation "

Speaking French with every local

[domlopesii]

I saw many people finding it strange that they saw people speaking French in a country where they speak Portuguese.
We speak Portuguese, but there are many people who are
influential in French, this is because we are surrounded by French-speaking countries, for example in the north(Senegal) and south(Guine-Konakry) of the country, French is common, if you notice Drew said they came from Guinea-Konakry probably the people interviewed are people from the region from the south, but in the capital it is more Portuguese, English and then French

[cupidelfs]

Drew: *and extreamly quiet streets!*
Goat:

[Rabidanti]

For Everyone Asking why they were speaking French in a Portuguese speaking country I need to say that In Guinea bissau the government uses a Portuguese Creole and the Portuguese language to communicate and for official things.
People in Guinea Bissau however speak various languages, they can speak the creole too for a large part BUT they don't speak much portuguese at all. They're bordered by 'French speaking' countries though.
By now there are probably more people who speak French in Guinea Bissau than Portuguese to be honest, thats why Drew's friends spoke in French.

[PrinxPerry]

African Queens have a long born heavy crowns. ✊🏾

[akintayo]

Even men carry stuff on their heads. As a boy, growing up in Nigeria, I carried loads on my head. I often hawked goods or transport stuff from the farm to home on my head. I traveled home few years ago and my 65 year old mom doesn't want me to help her by carrying the bag of stuff she was bringing from the market. She said:"now you're a grown up man and no longer the boy you used to be". I said, " Maami, I am still your boy. You should not be carrying this anymore. If you can still carry this on your head, I should carry it also."

[WydeZ]

Nobody:


Me: Trying to balance books on my head

[akotechonline]

I'm from NIGERIA.

I've been doing this when i am just 5years old. I still prefer to fetch water with my head than hand

[xxredninjaxxdoesnothing]

"And extremely quiet streets"
Goat : BLAAHHHH

[toddviv]

all those ladies are so cute arent they, very refreshing and innocent

[Carloshache]

You should go to the Bijagos islands in Guinea-Bissau. Extremely beautiful and unique.

[ednaidatipote]

My country 🇬🇼🇬🇼🇬🇼 your right Bissau is so peaceful and relaxed, a very safe place. I also learnt to carry things on my head. When the sun is high during day so we don't go out. You can get sick from the sun's heat. I miss home

[Zee-jgfs]

Alot of respect to these hardworking womens. Thanks drew for show us the world full of different culture traditions and peoples.... Really love it knowing people arround the world. 😍 Regards from #Venice

[INMisi-btwk]

This is so common in Africa I'm surprised anyone is surprised

[maritov]

Many thanks Drew for this. It is very nostalgic to seen my mother land the country where was born. I have just came across with your fantastic peace of work today. Good luck for the rest of your journey.

[ibmpes]

Who's from guinea Bissau

I've been waiting for this video for two years

[radianzero]

Class:

2nd Grade me: *Balancing books on my head*

[Franskie]

Him: Extremely quiet streets
Goat: hold my grass