Tanganyika laughter epidemic facts for kids
The Tanganyika laughter epidemic was a strange event that happened in 1962 in Tanganyika, which is now known as Tanzania. It was an outbreak of uncontrollable laughter that affected many people, especially young girls, and spread through several villages.
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What Was the Laughter Epidemic?
The Tanganyika laughter epidemic was a very unusual event where people started laughing and could not stop. It wasn't just a short giggle; it was long, intense laughter that could last for hours or even days. This laughter was often combined with other symptoms like crying, fainting, and feeling restless. It was a real mystery at the time.
Where and When Did It Happen?
The epidemic began on January 30, 1962, in a mission-run boarding school for girls in the village of Kashasha, located in the Bukoba District of Tanganyika. Tanganyika was a country in East Africa that later joined with Zanzibar to form modern-day Tanzania. The event happened during a time when the country was becoming independent, which means it was taking control of its own government after being ruled by another country.
How Did It Spread?
The laughter started with three girls at the school. Soon, it spread quickly to about 95 out of 159 students. The school had to close down in March 1962 because so many students were affected. When the students went home, they carried the laughter with them. This caused the epidemic to spread to other villages nearby, like Nshamba, where 217 people were affected. Later, it reached another village called Kanyabwera.
What Were the Symptoms?
The main symptom was uncontrollable laughter. But people also experienced other things. They might cry, feel dizzy, have pain, or even faint. Some people felt very restless and could not sit still. The symptoms usually lasted from a few hours to up to 16 days. It was very disruptive and made it hard for people to go to school or work.
Why Did It Happen?
Doctors and scientists studied the Tanganyika laughter epidemic to understand why it happened. They found no evidence of a virus or bacteria causing the laughter. Instead, they believe it was a case of what is called a Mass Psychogenic Illness (MPI).
What is Mass Psychogenic Illness?
Mass Psychogenic Illness, or MPI, happens when a group of people experience similar physical symptoms without a clear physical cause. These symptoms are often triggered by stress, anxiety, or fear. It's like when one person yawns, and then others start yawning too, but with more intense physical reactions. In the case of the laughter epidemic, the stress of the time, including the changes happening as Tanganyika became independent, might have played a role. The symptoms are real for the people experiencing them, even if there isn't a germ causing them.
How Did It End?
The epidemic lasted for about 18 months, from early 1962 to mid-1964. Schools had to close down several times to try and stop the spread. Eventually, the laughter outbreaks slowly faded away. There wasn't a specific cure or medicine that stopped it. It just gradually disappeared as the stress and anxiety that might have caused it lessened over time.
See Also
- Mass psychogenic illness
