Whether we like it or not, April Fools’ Day has been around a long time, and is recognized in many different countries. Hilaria was celebrated by the Romans on March 25 in honor of Cybele, the mother of the Gods. All kinds of games and amusements were celebrated, and one of them was dress in disguise and mimic anyone, including magistrates.
Holi is a Hindu holiday celebrated at the full moon at the approach of the spring equinox. On Holi eve people gather to do religious rituals in front a bonfire, praying that their internal evil should be destroyed as the bonfire starts. The next morning is Rangwali Holi where participants play, chase and color each other with dry powder and colored water. It originated as a celebration of good over evil.
A mistranslation of a Chaucer poem dates Chanticleer the rooster being fooled by a fox on April first in 1392. In 1539 Flemish poet Eduard de Dene wrote of a nobleman who sent his servants on foolish errands.
It began in the Netherlands in 1572 with a defeat of a Spanish Duke. Ireland, Poland, France, Scotland, and many more countries celebrate it. In Scandanavia it’s not uncommon for the media to print one untrue article, but over here Orson Welles directed “War of the Worlds” radio show in 1938, and part of the show was that there would be news bulletins which suggested an actual alien attack by Martians. People were terrified, and panic ensued. It is not considered appropriate. These days there is enough doubt about news veracity without having to make things up.
The Spanish equivalent to April Fools Day is on Dec. 28, which is also the Christian “Day of Holy Innocents.” After the prank is realized, they say, “You innocent little dove that let yourself be fooled.”
Somehow, I like the idea of people feeling fooled because they are innocent, rather than fools. “Fool” used as a noun is one who acts unwisely, or one who is duped.” The verb means to trick or deceive.
It’s a controversial day. We all need days and ways to celebrate fun, and laugh and shake off the constant demands of daily living. It’s good to de-stress and laughter is a great way to do it. We love the country fair when it comes. It’s a big party. No one is hurt or made fun of, and it seems that there is something there for everyone.
In doing research for this article, I learned a new word: schadenfreude. It’s a German word which literally is translated into “harm-joy, or pleasure that comes from the misfortunes of others. A former (I hope) way of celebrating April Fools’ Day in Ireland was to entrust the victim with an ‘important letter’ to be given to a named person. That person would then ask the victim to take it to someone else, and so on. The letter when finally opened contained the words “send the fool further.” Schadenfreude! Someone trying to help gets ridiculed.
What is it in us that would want that? Would it somehow demonstrate that we were smarter than another person if we were to fool them? I think that in the handbook of life, a person would get more points for trusting a person, and believing in them, than in deceiving them, especially for their own pleasure. Maybe after a long hike from person to person in Ireland, the letter could also include two movie tickets and a compliment for the help offered.
I saw a video of a prank that went horribly wrong some years back. In a woman’s house, two men, friends I suppose, dressed up as scary people. When she came home she saw them, screamed, and ran out the door into an oncoming car! When people think up pranks, they must take into consideration all things that could possibly go wrong. I’m sure the pranksters will never get over that prank.
It’s popular now to put pranks up on YouTube. When I Googled “YouTube pranks,” there were 18,900,000 results. Although I did try two that some have been removed, and read about others that have been removed. Probably schadenfrueude. Thankfully, the pranks that go too far are pulled down.
One person who has managed to create pranks that are uplifting is Roman Atwood. Google Roman Atwood Orphanage Robbery. In spite of how it’s recorded, he gives computers, TVs, tablets and more to an orphanage that didn’t have these for their children to use …after he fakes a robbery! If you want to watch pranks, go to his sites.
In Brazil, a prankster teaches a lesson by spraying disabled signs on the hoods and trunks of cars that park in disabled parking spaces. He uses water soluble paint, so the sting is just temporary, and hopefully a lesson is learned.
Another form of trickery that is very popular is magic. My uncle owned a magic shop in Chicago. I loved to go to it when I visited and be fooled. Somehow, it’s OK to be fooled by a magician. But I also learned how to do some of the tricks, which allowed me to perform tricks for folks at parties and we all had fun.
So maybe April Fools’ Day could be celebrated by masquerade balls with people demonstrating magic or other entertainments. Not professionals, just fun local talent to provide the music, and people sharing what they love to do. Have you seen the YouTube video of Ana Yang’s incredible bubble, smoke and light show? The link is so long, just Google Ana Yang Bubbles. Have fun. Be safe. And don’t do anything you wouldn’t want done to you.
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Hale Opio Kauai convened a support group of adults in our Kauai community to “step into the corner” for our teens, to answer questions and give support to youth and their families on a wide variety of issues. Please email your questions or concerns facing our youth and families today to Annaleah Atkinson at aatkinson@haleopio.org. For more information about Hale Opio Kauai, please go to www.haleopio.org.
