Ancient Sumerian Humor: The First Jokes

Around 1900 BCE, the Sumerians created the world's oldest jokes, etched into clay tablets. Their humor, often centered on bodily functions and absurd scenarios, reflects everyday life. Notable examples include jokes about young women and tavern antics. Enheduanna, the first named author, likely encountered such humor during festivals. Sumerian jests highlight the cultural value of humor, bridging sacred and secular life, and laying the groundwork for comedic traditions. #ancienthumor #Sumerians #comedyhistory #culturalheritage #timelessjokes Fact 1: Ancient Sumerians Told the World's Oldest Jokes Around 1900 BCE, the Sumerians etched humor into clay tablets, creating the earliest known jokes. These often revolved around bodily functions and absurd scenarios, reflecting everyday life. A famous example is the joke: "Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap." This crude humor shows the Sumerians' love for relatable, cheeky wit. Riddles and tavern-based jests, like "Why did the dog enter the tavern? To get drunk!" were also common, preserved alongside trade records. Humor's inclusion in cuneiform suggests its cultural value. Specific Case: Enheduanna, the world's first named author and high priestess of Ur (circa 2300 BCE), may have encountered such humor. While her hymns to Inanna are solemn, temple records from Ur mention priests reciting "bawdy tales" during festivals. Enheduanna likely oversaw these events, where a surviving joke about a priest "whose robe hid more than his piety" was told, poking fun at clerical hypocrisy. This shows even elite Sumerians engaged with humor, bridging sacred and secular life. Sumerian jests laid the foundation for comedic traditions across Mesopotamia, proving humor's timeless appeal.