Jokes and pranks can easily be lost in translation, so how can a tradition built on them survive on a global scale? As it turns out, the idea of playing light-hearted practical jokes to ring in the Spring is a tradition eagerly celebrated in many different countries. The jokes have a common theme: let loose and embrace the silly.
So what does a sense of humour look like across the globe?
Scotland
When it comes to playing practical jokes, the Scottish are so enthusiastic that they’ve extended April Fool’s over two days. Also known as Hunt the Gowk day (Gowk meaning cuckoo), the first day of celebrations include a massive game of “broken telephone.” On this day, a friend may send you on a fool’s errand by asking you to deliver a sealed message requesting help. Inside is simply a note requesting the recipient to repeat this process and continue the chain with someone new. The second day of celebration is called Taily Day. To take part, just slap a “kick me” sign on an unsuspecting friend’s back and you’ll be adding a whole new meaning to the phrase “watch your back!”
Iran
April Fool’s Day celebrations in Iran date back as far as 536 BC. Referred to as Sizdah Bedar, the 13th day of the Persian New Year, this holiday might be one of the oldest days for playing jokes in the world. To celebrate, Iranians across the country spend the day outside, enjoying delicious food, games and jokes. When picnicking with friends and family, it’s customary to throw away the green vegetables as they represent bad luck and illness.
Spain/Mexico
In Spain and Mexico, people celebrate their version of April Fool’s on December 28th, also known as Holy Innocents’ Day. People will play jokes on one another but are protected under the assumption that all are innocent on this day! The story behind this day is a little macabre for what’s considered a humorous holiday but you know what they say, comedy is tragedy plus time. According to the Bible, King Herod fearing that the newly born baby Jesus would become his rival one day, ordered all of Bethlehem’s boys under 2 years old to be killed. He then learnt that baby Jesus had already escaped Bethlehem and that he had needlessly ordered the deaths of many innocent children. Thus the “joke” was on Herod, who had been tricked in a sense, to make such an unnecessary order.
France
Similar to Scotland’s Taily Day, the French know how to have a laugh by keeping it simple. They refer to April Fool’s Day as Poisson d’avril, or April Fish. To celebrate, French school children will tape pictures of a fish on the backs of their unsuspecting classmates. The fun is waiting to see when (or if) the fishy “victims” notice the playful misdeeds of their fellow students.
India
If anyone knows how to add a splash of colour to an already vibrant holiday, it’s India! The country’s Holi Festival is held on a different day each year depending on the lunar cycle but it’s purpose remains the same! Holi a day to play jokes, embrace your silly side while tossing brightly coloured dust at one another. Celebrators cover themselves in body paint and let loose to welcome Spring back!
However you celebrate, we’d love to hear your best pranks and funniest tricks in the comments section! Happy April Fool’s Day!
