GV MAJORETTES PARADE
CU WHITE & COLOURED SPECTATORS
MV MAJORETTES PARADE
CU AFRICAN BOYS LOOK ON
SV MILITARY BAND
CU ONLOOKERS
SV BASQUE MUSICIAN AND PARADERS
CU BASQUE PARADERS FOLLOWED BY AFRICAN STILTMEN PAN TO BASQUE STILTMAN WALKING
GV BASQUE STILTMEN WALKING ALONGSIDE AFRICAN STILTMEN
CV AFRICAN STILTMAN PAN TO REAR VIEW BOTH BASQUE AND AFRICANS STILT WALKING
CU BASQUE GIRL ON HORSEBACK IN MEDIEVAL GARB
SV AFRICAN STILTMEN PAST CAMERA
SV SPECTATORS
GV ZOOM IN TO SV STILTMEN ALONG
MV BASQUE HORSEMEN IN MEDIEVAL GARB
LV ZOOM TO SV STILTMEN PARADING

Initials AJC/V/JF/BJ Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ABIDJAN, CAPITAL OF THE IVORY COAST, WAS A CITY OF TALL MEN ON SATURDAY (MARCH 28). ON PARADE WERE FRENCH BASQUE STILL WALKERS, IN ABIDJAN FOR A WEEK'S VISIT.

STILTS ARE PART OF THE WORKING EQUIPMENT FOR THE BASQUE SHEPHERDS IN THE PYRENEES. THE EXTRA HEIGHT IS IMPORTANT, ENABLING THEM TO KEEP AN EAGLE EYE ON THEIR SHEEP IN THE ROCKY TERRAIN.

THE VISITORS HOWEVER FELL FAR SHORT OF THEIR HOSTS. THE IVORY COAST BOASTS SOME OF THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED STILT WALKERS IN AFRICA. THEIR EXTRA LEGS GIVING THEM AS MUCH AS A SIX FOOT ADVANTAGE OVER THE BASQUES.

THOUSANDS OF ABIDJAN'S RESIDENTS LINED THE MILE-LONG RUN DU COMMERCE TO WATCH THE PARADE, PART OF THE WELCOMING CEREMONIES FOR THE BASQUES. ALSO TAKING PART WERE RESIDENT FRENCH BOYS AND GIRLS ON HORSEBACK, DRESSED IN MEDIEVAL CLOTHES.