This special issue explores the evolving history of humanitarian experiences by bridging emotions, senses, and lived realities with broader social and political contexts. It challenges conventional definitions of humanitarianism by reframing it as a ‘cultivated feeling’ and examining its diverse embodiments across history. Contributions analyse how artists, children, volunteers, and professionals have shaped humanitarian actions, from anti-slavery movements to modern refugee aid, addressing ethical dilemmas, emotional dynamics, and systemic inequalities. By intertwining memory, imagination, and bodily practices, this collection reexamines humanitarianism’s roots and its transformation into a global movement. It critically interrogates the roles of emotions, offering a nuanced perspective on their historical intersections with senses and experiences. Ultimately, the issue advocates for an experiential turn, enriching the historical understanding of humanitarianism and its implications for contemporary and future practices.