A clown is a person who performs comedy and arts in a state of open-mindedness using physical comedy , typically while wearing distinct makeup or costuming and reversing folkway-norms . [1] [2] [3] [4]
The most ancient clowns have been found in the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt , around 2400 BC. [5] Unlike court jesters , [ dubious – discuss ] clowns have traditionally served a socio-religious and psychological role, and traditionally [ when? ] the roles of priest and clown have been held by the same persons. [5] Peter Berger writes, "It seems plausible that folly and fools, like religion and magic, meet some deeply rooted needs in human society." [6] For this reason, clowning is often considered an important
In anthropology, the term clown has been extended to comparable jester or fool characters in non-Western cultures. A society in which such clowns have an important position are termed clown societies , and a clown character involved in a religious or ritual capacity is known as a ritual clown . [8] [9] [10]