The Enduring Power of Laughter - A Historical Journey (part 1 of 2)

Laughter, a universal language that transcends cultures and eras, has been a cornerstone of human communication and interaction since the dawn of our species. - Annually is being celebrated the World Laughter Day on 5th May.

Following is part 1 "A Historical Journey about the enduring power of laughter". - With part 2 "Laughter as Medicine" which will be published on the World Laughter Day (annual, 5th May) we take a look at the health benefits of laughing in our modern times.

part 1 ... The Enduring Power of Laughter - A Historical Journey 

DiPM-05022024 ... By anthropological findings the evidence suggests laughter served as a social glue, fostered bonds and strengthened the living together in tribal communities. Studies on hunter-gatherer societies [1] reveal laughter was used for ...

• signaling play: Laughter amongst adults during play sessions with children likely communicated positive intent and encouraged playful interaction [2].
• social bonding: Shared laughter during group activities like storytelling or celebrations could solidify social ties and promote cooperation.
• diffusing tension: A well-timed laugh could ease tension in confrontational situations, acting as a social lubricant.
  Emojies @ World Laughter Day 2024
  

Laughing in the Animal Kingdom ...

The ability to laugh isn't exclusive to humans. Research suggests primates like chimpanzees and bonobos exhibit vocalizations strikingly similar to human laughter, particularly during play sessions [3]. Laughter may have deep evolutionary roots in our primate ancestry, potentially linked to social bonding and positive reinforcement as well as for humans.

Cultural Link to Laughter ...

Laughter's historical significance is evident throughout various cultures. E.g. ...

In the Ancient Egypt Hieroglyphs depict scenes of laughter, suggesting it was valued in social interactions [4]. - In the Ancient Greece Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle pondered the nature of laughter, with Plato viewing it as a sign of moderation and Aristotle linking it to pleasure [5]. - And in the Medieval Europe court jesters served as professional humorists, reminding royalty and nobility of the importance of laughter amidst life's hardships [6].

Laughter and Rituals ... 

Laughter has also played a role in rituals across cultures:

• Religious Ceremonies: Certain religious traditions incorporate laughter as a way to express joy or connect with the divine [7], [8] and [9].
• Coming-of-age rituals: Laughter might be used to ease tension or mark the transition into adulthood [10].
• Funeral Rites: In some cultures, laughter is used to celebrate the life of the deceased and find solace in shared memories [11].

... soon to come: part 2 - Laughter as Medicine (register the free newletter to be informed, scroll down to bottom page)

Sources:

part 1 ..

1. Laughter in hunter-gatherers
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886913012816
2. Newborns recognize smiles by 4 monthshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2597649/
3. Laughter in chimpanzees
   https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hhlHx5ivGGk
4. Laughter in ancient Egypt
   https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110683882/html
5. Laughter in ancient Greece
   https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle/
6. Court Jesters in Medieval Europe
   https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/jester-or-fool/327575
7. Ritualisation of Laughter (by Karl Grammer, University of Vienna and Irenaus eibl-Eibesfeldt, January 1990)
   https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229059946_The_ritualisation_of_laughter
8. Laughter in religious ceremonies
   https://rofcourse.nd.edu/
9. BBC2 / Open University: Extraordinary Rituals
   https://connect.open.ac.uk/history-and-the-arts/extraordinary-rituals
10. Laughter in coming-of-age rituals
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1088868317734944
11. Laughter in funeral rites
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-50041509

part 2 ...

1. Endorphins and laughter
   https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23040-endorphins
2. Laughter and stress hormones
   https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
3. Laughter and cognitive function
   https://denniseheckman.medium.com/how-laughter-increases-students-learning-and-memory-retention-ecc723a1b3b6
4. Laughter and anxiety
   https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
5. Laughter and blood pressure
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10178400/
6. Laughter and immune system
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686627/
7. Laughter and pain relief
   https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed-post/laughter-is-the-best-medicine-1/
8. Therapeutic clowns
   https://www.childrenshospital.org/patient-resources/while-you-are-here/creative-arts/laughter-league
9. Laughter Yoga
   https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/laughing-yoga