April Fool's Day

Festival Location: All Areas, Worldwide

Festival Type: Traditional Festivals

April Fool's Day

By: © Linda Campbell 2009

It is difficult to trace how April Fool's Day originated, but it seems to be connected with the date of the New Year under the Julian calendar.

Before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar by Pope Gregory I in 1582 AD, New Years Day was on March 25th with celebrations which lasted for about eight days! These ended on April 1st, possibly at 12 noon. This may be why trick playing is supposed to cease at 12 noon on April 1st.

The custom appears to have originated in France, where people traditionally exchanged New Year gifts on April 1st. After the adoption of the new calendar, many people held on to the old traditions in spite of ridicule by the more progressive members of society. They became the butts of jokes, which gradually extended to the whole community playing tricks on each other such as sending apprentices on useless errands.

April Fooling gradually spread from France, reaching Britain in the 18th century.

Some researchers link the development of April Fools day with the medieval Feast of Asses or Feast of Fools. The latter was certainly very popular in France. It was not, however, associated with New Year as sometimes stated. The Feast of Fools occurred at the time of the Feast of the Circumcision on January 1st. Remember that in medieval times, under the Julian calendar, New Year was in March.

It is difficult now to distinguish between the Feast of Fools and the Feast of Asses, which may also have been held in January. Many of the churchmen had specific feast days during the Christmas season: the deacons on December 26th (St Stephen's Day), the priest on December 27th (St John's Day), the choristers and mass-servers on December 28th (the Day of the Holy Innocents) and the sub-deacons on January 1st (the Feast of the Circumcision).

The feast of the sub-deacons was later taken over by the Guild of Fools. The customs and buffoonery which then became associated with this feast probably had their origins in earlier pagan customs such as Saturnalia (held in December), when slaves were given temporary equality with their masters.

During the Feast of Asses, the preacher impersonated the Hebrew prophets while arguing the Divinity of Christ. This sermon evolved into a drama, with 28 actors taking the part of prophets, leading a procession into church. This parade included Balaam riding an ass (a wooden or hobby horse) and this was enjoyed so much by the congregation that it developed separately until the festival became known as the Feast of Asses.

The Feast of Asses gradually became incorporated into the Feast of Fools. Owing to the licentious behaviour of the congregation during the Feast of Fools, it was outlawed by the Council of Basle in 1435 but it no doubt persisted in some areas.

It is possible that, deprived of the outlets provided by these two celebrations, some elements were transferred to April Fool's Day.

Various sources have even claimed that April Fooling may have originated in the Hindu festival of Huli or Holi. This is held in March and originally lasted for five days but in modern times only covers two days. On the first day a bonfire is lit and on the second day people throw coloured powder and water over each other. Holi is associated with the demoness, Holika.

Prince Prahlad worshipped Vishnu despite being persecuted by Holika, who was immune to fire. Holika tried to kill Prahlad by holding him while a bonfire was lit around them. But Holika was consumed by the flames and Prahlad emerged unscathed. The feast commemorates the defeat of evil.

The link between this ancient festival and April Fool's Day seems to me to be very tenuous.

However April Fool's Day originated, it is a day for having fun. Unlike many of our other celebrations, it does not involve spending money in the form of presents or cards. It is a day purely for enjoyment!!

This article first appeared on suite101.

by Linda Campbell