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Historical Background: The oldest reference of juggling appears in an Egyptian tomb of an unknown prince from the Middle Kingdom period circa 1994-1781 B.C. A drawing depicts three women juggling by themselves and two pairs of women with partners on their backs who are juggling with each other. Balls used for play during this time period would probably have been made from leather stuffed with shredded leaves, three to nine centimeters in diameter. We know of other balls made of wood, clay faience, or plaited palm leaves because they were found in children's graves. In ancient Greece, competition was a part of life. Greek girls did not compete as much in physical activities as the boys, but they did play games. A vase shows a Greek girl juggling, but she is not considered an entertainer or an acrobat, rather just an ordinary girl.

Juggling became highly popular in America during the days of traveling circuses and was closely associated with clowns. Today, there are juggling associations, magazines devoted to juggling and open competitions. Jugglers use other props to juggle such as beanbags, rings, clubs, knives, and lit torches.

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