Indonesia declared its independence from the Netherlands on August 17, 1945 in one of the first acts of post-war decolonisation.
印度尼西亚近日举行庆典庆祝民族独立。1945年8月17日，印尼从荷兰殖民者获得独立，成为二战后首先独立的殖民国家之一。

The colourful independence celebrations draw upon the many traditions of Indonesian culture, including bizarre tests of agility and strength.
多彩纷呈的独立庆典活动中有许多取自印尼文化传统，包括其中一些测试人的灵活性和体力的奇葩活动。

During World War II Indonesia had been invaded by Japan and following their surrender Indonesian nationalists declared independence.
在二战期间，印度尼西亚曾遭到日本入侵，在日本投降之后印尼的爱国人士宣布了民族独立。

The Dutch tried to resist the independence movement, eventually accepting defeat after four years following pressure from the United Nations.
荷兰人竭力镇压印尼的独立运动，最终在四年苦战之后，迫于联合国的压力，承认印尼为独立国家。

One of the most bizarre parts of the Indonesian independence celebrations is the Panjat Pinang competition where men clamber up greased poles.
在印尼的独立庆典活动中，最奇诡的活动之一就是一种爬杆比赛，选手要爬上涂了油脂的木桩。

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.
爬杆比赛是荷兰殖民者带到印尼的，殖民者在某种娱乐活动中，会将礼品放在木桩顶上，让人爬上去取。

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.
由于木桩上涂满了黄油或油脂，选手不能同时抓紧木杆和往上攀爬，因而必须借助另一个人的协助。

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，两个人会先协商好，平等分配木桩顶上的奖品，然后组成一组，相互帮助。

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.
于是，一个人抱紧木桩的底部，他的同伴把他当做人梯往上爬，已取得木桩顶上的货物。这就形成了一项挑战人类体力的令人惊叹的竞技项目。