This unique form of signing that incorporates quick changes between the normal voice (chest voice) and falsetto (head voice) has developed into a unique form of music that has spread all over the world.
Originally used in the Central Alp regions of Europe for communicating between neighboring villages or, even more commonly, for herders to call their animals back, yodeling is typically traced back to the people of Switzerland.
Historically, the earliest record that can be found describing yodeling is from 1545, which was referred to as the call of a cowherder.
This practical form of yelling morphed into a form of singing over the years and was eventually set to music. In the 19th century, British yodelers were common as stage performers as the practice began to move around the world.
In addition to Switzerland, yodeling has also developed in other places like the Solomon Islands, Hawaii and even among Pygmy tribes in Africa.
Yodel for Your Neighbors Day was founded as a way to encourage practicing this type of singing/yelling that may or may not make them want to yell back at you!
