A village full of tightrope walkers
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325923)
Rockingham, Australia
March 18, 2024 7:39pm CST
Have you heard of the village of Tsovkra-1? It’s a tiny, secluded village in the southern republic of Dagestan in Russia, nestled in the Greater Caucasus Mountains.
The ‘1’ in the name differentiates the village from another of the same name.
What is special about this village of some 400 people is that every able-bodied person can walk a tightrope. There seems no clear reason as to how the tradition started but legend has it that young men would walk a tightrope across narrow valleys to visit their sweethearts.
In the decades following World War II, when circuses were really popular in Russia, no less than seventeen of Tsovkra-1’s citizens became famous for their tightrope-walking skills.
The photo was taken somewhere in France. And there is no way I could ever walk a tightrope.
16 people like this
16 responses
@RasmaSandra (73502)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Mar
That sounds amazing, Thank you for the info, I am scared of heights so no tightropes for me,
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (170108)
• United States
19 Mar
That is amazing. There is also a village in China that people have to go up and down ladders all the time to go to the town below.
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79802)
• United States
19 Mar
I would never be able to walk a tightrope either but it's very interesting to hear about all those tightrope walkers in Tsovkra-1's,
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79802)
• United States
21 Mar
@JudyEv I do remember some of the more famous tightrope walkers.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18921)
• United States
19 Mar
I couldn't do that. I am scared of heights.
3 people like this
Anyone who was would definitely be the odd man out! lol
@Happy2BeMe (99392)
• Canada
19 Mar
That is very cool and interesting. I could never do it either.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45522)
• India
23 Mar
I think I have heard of Dagestsn, but not of this village.
The geography of this area and the needs of people could have been a big factor.
May be the Tightrope walking acted as a catalyst for tourist inflow since times immemorial.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45522)
• India
25 Mar
@JudyEv
A case of big adaptability in face of circumstances.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95346)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Mar
That is a fun tradition. I couldn't do it
2 people like this
@aninditasen (15744)
• Raurkela, India
19 Mar
I should say the villagers are adventurous and brave too.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (15744)
• Raurkela, India
21 Mar
@JudyEv I doubt if could. Thank God I don't stay in such a place.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156489)
• United States
19 Mar
Beautiful photo. Amazing that everyone can walk a tightrope. Definitely not for me!!! Have a good day.
2 people like this
@Beestring (13335)
• Hong Kong
19 Mar
That's amazing. I wonder how old they were when they learned how to do it.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86773)
• United States
19 Mar
I wonder when, what age do they start practicing?
This is astounding Judy, thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
