VENTRILOQUISM ECHOES FORTH FROM ANCIENT AND AFRICAN ORIGINS

Ventriloquism, the illusory art of "throwing" the voice and talking without one's lips moving, has ancient origins.

The word ventriloquism comes from the Latin words "venter" (belly) and "loqui" (speak). The vocal sounds were originally thought to come from the stomach, not the mouth.References to ventriloquism and "speaking statues" have been found in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Ancient Greek writings mention Eurycles of Athens as a well known ventriloquist. Forms of ventriloquism have also long been practiced by such peoples as Zulus, Maoris and Eskimos.