Sword swallowing
Encyclopedia
Performance art
In art, performance art is a performance presented to an audience, traditionally interdisciplinary. Performance may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned with or without audience participation. The performance can be live or...
in which the performer passes a sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
through the mouth and down the esophagus towards the stomach. This feat is obviously not swallowing
Swallowing
Swallowing, known scientifically as deglutition, is the process in the human or animal body that makes something pass from the mouth, to the pharynx, and into the esophagus, while shutting the epiglottis. If this fails and the object goes through the trachea, then choking or pulmonary aspiration...
in the traditional sense; the natural processes that constitute swallowing do not take place, but are repressed in order to keep the passage from the mouth to the stomach open for the sword.
The practice is extremely dangerous, posing a high risk of injury.
Most of today's practising sword swallowers, approximately one hundred in number, belong to the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI).
History
Originating in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
before 2000 BC, the deadly art of sword swallowing has a long and varied history. During its early history it was used as a demonstration of divine union and power.
The migration of the art to other lands, most notably China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in the 8th century, saw its transformation from divine demonstration to theatrical production. It quickly migrated to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where it became a central part of the Japanese acrobatic theatre, Sangaku
Sarugaku
Sarugaku, literally "monkey music," was a form of theatre popular in Japan during the 11th to 14th centuries. It originated from "sangaku," a form of entertainment reminiscent of the modern-day circus, consisting mostly of acrobatics, juggling, and pantomime, sometimes combined with drum dancing...
. This form of theatre featured an array of performance delights, including fire eating, tightrope walking
Tightrope walking
Tightrope walking is the art of walking along a thin wire or rope, usually at a great height. One or more artists performs in front of an audience or as a publicity stunt...
, juggling
Juggling
Juggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. This may be one object or many objects, at the same time with one or many hands. Jugglers often refer...
and early illusion
Illusion
An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. While illusions distort reality, they are generally shared by most people....
.
Simultaneous to the arts' eastern migration was a migration to the north and west, all the way to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in the 1st centuries AD. In Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
it developed into yet a third distinct type of performance associated with the medieval jongleurs, that of the street performance
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
.
Sword swallowing was performed during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
as part of street theatre
Street theatre
Street theatre is a form of theatrical performance and presentation in outdoor public spaces without a specific paying audience. These spaces can be anywhere, including shopping centres, car parks, recreational reserves and street corners. They are especially seen in outdoor spaces where there are...
and was popular at festivals and other large gatherings. However, from the founding of the Holy Inquisition in 1231, it and other forms of religious persecution
Religious persecution
Religious persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group of individuals as a response to their religious beliefs or affiliations or lack thereof....
slowly spread in their influence throughout Europe. Sword swallowers along with jugglers
Juggling
Juggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. This may be one object or many objects, at the same time with one or many hands. Jugglers often refer...
, magic
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
ians, prophet
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
s and other performers, found themselves increasingly the target of religious persecution, being condemned and executed as heretic
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
s, witches and practitioners of the dark arts
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
.
Though performers reemerged following the Inquisition and enjoyed a resurgence in activity and reception, this was to be short-lived. Sword swallowing began to die out in the mid-19th century, and was actually outlawed in Scandinavia in 1893. This was due to a declining interest in street and festival theatre and a growing interest on the part of audiences in more "sophisticated" and "proper" theatre.
In 1819, the East Indian juggler and sword swallower Ramo Sammee became popular in the United States after a brief stint in England. He performed in the US and England until his death in London in August 1850. From 1850 to the 1890s a very small number of sword swallowers performed in the UK such as Martha Mitchell (c 1855) and Signor Benedetti (1863–95), and in the US, including Lawson Peck (c 1850s), Ling Look (c 1872), Signor Wandana (died May 9, 1875), and Harry Parsons (died December 1880). But the best-known North American sword swallower of this time was Fred McLone, better known to the public as "Chevalier Cliquot", who performed from 1878 to the early 20th century.
In 1893 sword swallowing was featured at the World Columbian Exposition at the Chicago World's Fair. This spawned the beginning of the popularity of the American practice of the art.
Circuses and sideshow
Sideshow
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction.- Types of attractions :There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions:...
s quickly became the dominant venue for sword swallowers. Traveling throughout North America and presenting their skills to the show-going public, any connection with religion or divine power was long gone. Sword swallowing became a stunt
Stunt
A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat, or any act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes in TV, theatre, or cinema...
, and as such, it became competitive. Whereas the European practice of the art certainly saw performers attempting to swallow larger numbers of swords, there seemed to be an undue focus on the novel and bizarre in the American practice. This is understandable, as there were a larger number of sword swallowers performing at this time, and innovation was the only recourse performers had in the effort to make money, for themselves and for their employers.
It is during this time that we see a growing popularity with swallowing longer swords, multiple swords, hot swords, bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
s recoiled down the throat, glowing neon tubes
Neon sign
Neon signs are made using electrified, luminous tube lights that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting, which was first demonstrated in a modern form in December, 1910 by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show. While they are used worldwide, neon signs...
and so forth. With the growing interest in the art came clever innovations. In fact, one could often find sword swallowers on the same bill as the magic greats such as Houdini, clearly indicating their appeal.
Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
also saw an upsurge in sword swallowing interest during this period, with many cross-Atlantic influences.
During the late 19th century and early 20th century traveling magic shows from the Orient toured Europe and America, bringing some unique twists on standard effects, some entirely new effects (the secrets of which were lusted after by American magicians), and of course sword swallowing, along with their traditional fire eating, juggling
Juggling
Juggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. This may be one object or many objects, at the same time with one or many hands. Jugglers often refer...
and acrobatic
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
feats.
Around the middle of the 20th century saw a demise in circuses in general and sideshow
Sideshow
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction.- Types of attractions :There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions:...
s in particular. Today there remains only one full-time permanent sideshow in the world, the Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
Sideshows by the Seashore, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and a very few smaller traveling sideshow
Sideshow
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction.- Types of attractions :There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions:...
s. Some attribute the decline of the sideshow to the increased interest in and decreased cost of mechanical circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
and carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
rides, as well as the growth of other forms of entertainment such as television, movies, videos and the Internet.
Today many skills typically associated with the circus or sideshows have been appropriated by individual performers and incorporated into their acts, fueling a revival in many of the sideshow
Sideshow
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction.- Types of attractions :There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions:...
arts.
Learning
Learning to sword swallow comprises both physical and psychological aspects. The first obstacle in acquiring the skill is overcoming the gag reflex, achieved by accustoming the pharynxPharynx
The human pharynx is the part of the throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and anterior to the esophagus and larynx. The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx , the oropharynx , and the laryngopharynx...
to touch. As recorded in the 2006 study by Brian Whitcombe, radiologist, and Dan Meyer, Chief Executive Director of Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI), this is accomplished through practice with putting fingers and other objects down the throat, such as spoons, knitting needles, and plastic tubes, before eventually graduating to a wire coat-hanger. Performers must prepare mentally as well as physically, steeling themselves against unpleasant sensations, relaxing the mind and body, and focusing carefully on proper technique. According to swordswallow.com, a site run by SSAI, the art takes "about three to seven years to learn and approximately five [more] to master." Most swallowers surveyed for the Whitcombe-Meyer study were self-taught.
Anatomy and method
The performer must first lean the head back, hyper-extending the neck, and relax the upper esophageal sphincter (a generally involuntary muscle which contracts the top of the esophagus). Retching must be controlled while the sword, lubricated by saliva, is inserted through the mouth and past the pharynx. Once past the pharynx and sphincter the sword passes swiftly, assisted by gravity, straightening the flexible esophagus. The stomach, at an angle to the esophagus, is brought into line as the sword enters through the cardiac opening.. Some swallowers consume a large meal or drink water before performing to give the stomach a more vertical orientation, allowing for easier passage of the sword. Most performers only keep the sword down for a matter of a few seconds, as it is difficult to suppress the gag reflex for any length of time. Careful focus is required to complete the process without injury, as the sword passes within millimeters of vitals such as the aorta, heart and lungs.Added risks
Sometimes factors are added which increase the danger; some highly experienced swallowers practice the "drop," a maneuver in which the sword is allowed to fall suddenly, its movement controlled by the muscles of the pharynx. Practitioners have also reported such things as performing on a unicycle, lying on a bed of nails, and allowing audience members to remove the sword, adding to the risk of injury.Side effects and injuries
Swallowing practitioners have reported sore throats—dubbed "sword" throats, in the business—when first learning, after frequent consecutive performances, or after swallowing curved swords or several swords at once. Swallowing multiple swords simultaneously over time can also lead to distension of the esophagus. Less common are reports of lower chest pain as a result of practicing the "drop." Such injuries rarely require medical attention; the performers simply refrain from swallowing swords for a time. A minor injury may predispose the performer to sustaining a more major one; these more serious injuries include perforation of the esophagus, stomach, lungs, and other organs in proximity to the path of the sword, as well as intestinal bleeding. According to Dr. Brian Whitcombe and Dan Meyer, "One swallower lacerated his pharynx when trying to swallow a curved sabre, a second lacerated his esophagusEsophagus
The esophagus is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. During swallowing, food passes from the mouth through the pharynx into the esophagus and travels via peristalsis to the stomach...
and developed pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. Among other things, infections are the most common cause of pleurisy....
after being distracted by a misbehaving macaw on his shoulder, and a belly dancer suffered a major haemorrhage when a bystander pushed dollar bills into her belt causing three blades in her oesophagus to scissor." In spite of its highly dangerous nature, no deaths are known to have been reported as a result of sword swallowing.
Medical case reports
- A 59-year-old man experienced chest pain and severe dysphagia following practice for his sword swallowing act. An esophageal perforation was found and surgically repaired; 19 days later a leak at the site required a transhiatal esophagectomy with a left cervical esophagogastrostomy. The patient recovered normally, but ceased the practice of sword swallowing.
- A 27-year-old woman reported neck pain and a single episode of hematemesis (vomiting blood) after pricking her throat while practicing her sword swallowing act with a sharp dagger. The injury was found to be immediately below the esophageal sphincter, and the patient was admitted to intensive care and placed on intravenous antibiotics and a proton-pump inhibitor. She recovered well and returned to all previous activities with the exception of sword swallowing.
Contributions to science
The abilities of sword-swallowers have proven useful to the progress of medical knowledge, specifically in the development and advancement of upper endoscopy. In 1868 Adolf Kussmaul of Freiburg, Germany performed the first esophagoscopy on a sword-swallower using a rigid 47 cm tube, mirrors, and a gasoline lamp. The apparatus, an early endoscope, allowed him to examine the esophagus and the fundus of the stomach. Stevens, a Scottish physician, performed digestive experiments with his sword-swallowing assistant; small metal tubes, pierced with holes and filled with meat, were swallowed and after a time regurgitated, allowing Stevens to examine the extent of the digestion that had taken place. In 1906 Dr. Cremer performed the first electrocardiogram on a professional sword-swallower in Wales by passing an electrode down the esophagus. This approach has since been proven useful by numerous studies; esophageal recording at a location in proximity to the heart improves signal detection.Remarkable feats
- Brett Loudermilk swallowed a total of 37500 swords in 2008
- 19 performers swallowed 50 swords simultaneously at a 2002 swallowers' convention
- In honor of International Sword Swallower Awareness Day, Red Stuart swallowed 50 swords simultaneously on February 28, 2009, breaking his previous records of 34 and 25 swords.
- Natasha Veruschka holds the women's record, having swallowed 13 swords at once at the Third Annual Sword Swallower's Convention on September 3, 2004.
- Ryan StockRyan StockRyan Stock is a Canadian based TV stunt man from Edmonton, Alberta who has a show on the Discovery Channel called "Guinea Pig". Stock and his fiancée Amber Lynn Walker travel around Canada and the United States and perform stunts which involve electrocution, automobile crashes, and intentional...
holds the record for "Heaviest Vehicle pull by a sword swallower". He pulled a 1696.44 kg 2002 Audi Quattro 6.38m in 20.53 seconds, using two chains attached from the vehicle's chassis to the swords hilt, while it was down his throat.
SSAI
Formed in 2001 and officially launched in 2002, the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) is a private organization designed to keep sword swallowing alive and network performers, both amateur and professional, around the world. February 28 was declared "International Sword Swallowers Awareness Day," which serves to further the purpose of SSAI and foster appreciation for this unique art.In order to be recognized by and obtain membership to SSAI, a sword swallower must meet official criteria. Each potential member must be capable of swallowing a solid steel sword blade under the following specifications:
- Swords: All swords must pass inspection by officials and witnesses
- Blades: Blades are required to be non-retractable, non-collapsible solid steel
- Length: Blades need to measure at least 15 inches (38 cm) in length
- Width: Blades must measure at least 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in width
Video and other verification in addition to an application are required to complete the membership process.
Among the ranks of contemporary swallowers are Red Stuart, Dan Meyer
Dan Meyer (performer)
Dan Meyer is an American performance artist, corporate entertainer, inspirational/motivational speaker, and professional sword swallower best known for swallowing swords underwater in a tank of sharks and stingrays...
, Brad Byers, Murrugun The Mystic (Scott Nelson) , Thom Selectomy, Johnny Fox
Johnny Fox (performer)
Johnny Fox is a professional sword swallower and sleight of hand expert.-Early life:Fox grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, and saw his first sword swallower at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, when he was eight or nine years old...
, Dai Andrews, Natasha Veruschka, Todd Robbins, Brett Loudermilk, Brianna Belladonna [Brianne Young], Thomas Blackthorne, István Betyár, the Space Cowboy
Space Cowboy (performer)
The Space Cowboy is a world record-breaking sideshow, street, and freak show performer born in Byron Bay in Australia on 13 April 1978.-Act:...
(real name Chayne Hultgren), Matthew Henshaw, Matt the Knife
Matt the Knife
"Matt the Knife" was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Boston, but now resides in Rhode Island. He is a magician and mentalist as well as the breaker of a multitude of Guinness World Records...
, George the Giant
George McArthur
George "The Giant" McArthur is an American actor, and variety artist known for his height.McArthur was born in Bakersfield, California; the youngest of five children born to Marilyn Baird and Howard McArthur...
, Travis Fessler, Erik Kloeker, Chris Steele (Capt. Stab-Tuggo), Gordo Gamsby, Lucky Diamond Rich
Lucky Diamond Rich
Lucky Diamond Rich is "the world's most tattooed person" , and has tattoos covering his entire body, including the inside of his foreskin, mouth and ears...
(the worlds most tattooed man), Count Desmond, Charles Knight, Roderick Russell, John Metz, John Strong, Damien Blade, The Enigma, Lizard Man, Bill Berry, Mr. Pennygaff, Fred Kahl a.k.a. The Great Fredini, Ryan Stock
Ryan Stock
Ryan Stock is a Canadian based TV stunt man from Edmonton, Alberta who has a show on the Discovery Channel called "Guinea Pig". Stock and his fiancée Amber Lynn Walker travel around Canada and the United States and perform stunts which involve electrocution, automobile crashes, and intentional...
, Jewels and Amy Saunders (Miss Behave), David Straitjacket
David Straitjacket
David Straitjacket , is a British escape artist most notable for his television appearances, and world record attempts.-Biography & History:...
, Nick Penney and Laura Penney.