Tanganyika laughter epidemic

Tanganyika laughter epidemic is a notable event in medical history and psychology, which took place in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1962. The event is considered one of the most extensive and dramatic examples of mass hysteria or collective obsessional behavior.

Background

The Tanganyika laughter epidemic began on January 30, 1962, at a mission-run boarding school for girls in Kashasha. The laughter started with three girls and spread throughout the school, affecting 95 of the 159 pupils, aged 12–18. Symptoms lasted from a few hours to 16 days in those affected. The school was forced to close down on March 18, 1962.

Spread

After the school was closed and the students were sent home, the epidemic spread to Nshamba, a village that was home to several of the girls. In April and May, 217 people had laughing attacks in the village, most of them school children and young adults. The Kashasha school was reopened on May 21, only to be closed again at the end of June. In June, the laughing epidemic spread to Ramashenye girls’ middle school, near Bukoba, affecting 48 girls.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the laughter epidemic were not limited to laughter. Other symptoms included crying, fainting, rashes, and pain. The laughter attacks were described as occurring in fits lasting from a minute to a few hours. The fits were followed by residual symptoms including flatulence, fainting, respiratory problems, rashes, attacks of crying, and random screaming.

Causes

The exact cause of the Tanganyika laughter epidemic is unknown. However, it is believed to be a case of mass psychogenic illness (MPI), where physical symptoms with no known physical cause are observed to affect a group of people, often as a form of social influence.

See also

• List of mass hysteria cases
• Dancing mania
• Mass psychogenic illness
• Hysteria

External links

• BBC Future: The town that went laughing mad

Tanganyika laughter epidemic Resources
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