Limelight: Fools for a day By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Whether for one day or for many, we are all victims of folly throughout our life's journey. "The first of April is the day we remember what we are the 364 days of the year," wrote American author Mark Twain. To celebrate his folly, man has set aside this one day, to fool or to be fooled by others, all in the spirit of merriment and good fun in celebration of the coming of Spring. Pranks, antics, jokes and jests are a common practice in many countries around the world, from Bombay to Bogota. Scotland however finds one day is not enough for fools... they need two days. The second day, called "Taily Day" is devoted to pranks involving one's backside. "Taily Day's" favourite trick is the ever-amusing "kick me" sign that youngsters of every age enjoy. So contagious is that spirit of trickery and chicanery, the solemn news media around the world joins in the fun with bogus stories and news reports designed to pull the wool over our eyes, highlighting our gullibility and feeble-mindedness. British Television once produced for the occasion, an elaborate documentary about "spaghetti farms", with detailed accounts on how farmers harvest their crop from "spaghetti trees". In response, thousands of April's fools rushed in, readily willing to question themselves, their own knowledge and convictions. One of the most famous capers in media history was produced on radio in 1938 by a young genius named Orson Welles (1915- 1985). Pandemonium broke out on the East coast of the US, following a fictitious, but far too graphic a broadcast, of an invasion by Mars of the state of New Jersey. So realistic was the programme that thousands of alarmed citizens took to the streets in panic, while others flooded the authorities with frantic calls for help. Such is the lure of irrestible fantasy. On the strength of this hysterical crowd reaction, Welles was given a carte blanche to write, direct and act in anything he pleased in Hollywood. Three years later he produced Citizen Kane in 1941, which established him as an icon amongst filmmakers, and his film as the best film ever made in Cinema history. Although not even meant to be a prank, Welles's radio show clearly demonstrated our eagerness to be duped, to be spoon-fed snippets of information, rapidly believed, promptly swallowed, and easily digested. April Fool's Day continues to prosper, an indication of the little trust we have in ourselves, amongst other things. Folly in fact, is not altogether a bad thing. The ability to laugh at ourselves is not only comforting, but desirable. Mixing wisdom with a "little foolery and tomfoolery" is the best recipe for continued mental health. Every wise man should experience a moment of folly now and again: "looking foolish does the spirit good." When did April fool's day start? Where did the first fools come from? Who was the sage who chose to confuse the wise with a little levity and distraction? Mystery surrounds its origins, as well as its starting date. It seems to have slowly evolved to its present day form with the convergence of various ancient cultural beliefs. Its basic common theme was the celebration of the Earth's renewal and rebirth with the coming of Spring. People woke up from their Winter slumbers ready to go forward once again with joy in their hearts and laughter on their lips... to be made fools of and fool others, in jubilant celebration of a new year, a new life. In India, the feast of Huli occurred during the final days of March, celebrated by pranks and acts of mischief on the 31st. But that could not be the only source. A theory recently revived following the furore created by Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ traces its origins to the last hours of Jesus. Treating him as a fool, his enemies sent him on a "fool's errand", a meaningless round of visits from Jewish elders and Roman officials for clemency, when his fate was already sealed. Mediaeval "passion" and "mystery" plays depict Jesus' journey from Annais to Caiaphas, from Pilate to Herod and then back to Pilate again. This is an unlikely theory since sending one off on a fool's errand existed in many ancient cultures long before Christianity: but on this day people are sent, on purpose for pure merriment. The most convincing historical evidence suggests that April Fool's Day originated in France in 1582, under King Charles IX. With the reform of the old Julian calendar by Pope Gregory XIII, the King ordered that the new year festivities associated with the vernal equinox be moved to January first according to the new Gregorian calendar. The vernal equinox celebrations started 25 March and lasted for a week, culminating in great dinners, parties and gift giving on 1 April. Many French men resisted the change and continued their annual 'Pagan' revelry on 1 April. They were mocked and ridiculed for persisting in their old ways, receiving fictitious invitations to non-existing parties. The victim of such a prank was known as "Poisson d'Avril" or April fish, this being the time the Sun was leaving the zodiacal sign of Pisces ... or fish. As a rule all functions occurring during this period came under that rubric. Even Napoleon I Emperor of France was nicknamed "Poisson d'Avril" when he married Marie Louise of Austria 1 April, 1810. French men continued to associate the date with whimsical April fooling, making it a uniquely French tradition. It was not until 1782, two centuries later that the practice crossed the channel and was adopted by the English, and from there it sailed to the New World with the pilgrims. In Mexico, Peru and other Latin American countries the same tradition is celebrated on 28 December, known as "Dia de Los Innocentes". The day was once dedicated to mourning the innocent children slaughtered by King Herod during the early days of Christianity. It has evolved through the centuries and has acquired a lighter tone, full of sporting silliness, evoking joy and laughter. Another intriguing symbol which has retained strong significance throughout history is the fish. It was worshipped as a deity by various peoples in Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean area. The fish was one of the astral signs of the Chaldean sun zodiac devoted to Sun worship. It was also worshipped by Syrians, Babylonians, Phillistines, Romans, Scandinavians and Greeks. The Egyptians still eat a pickled fish on their annual Spring day "Sham Al-Nessim", (Whiff of the breeze) and the ancients called their goddess Isis "Fish of the Abyss". In China, the great Mother Kwan Yi was often portrayed as a fish, and in India the goddess Kali was known as the "fish-eyed one". The Church often Christianised pagan practices, emblems and even deities. Early Christians used the Greek word "ichthus" -- fish -- as an acrostic for Jesus based on the initial letters of the word (Iota Chi Theta Upselon Sigma) signifying Jesus Christ the son of God, the saviour, as explained by Saint Augustine. The eating of fish on Friday is an old Swedish tradition honouring their Godess Friga... Romans also used Friday to worship Venus, calling it "dies viernes" day of Venus... An Amalgam of pagan rituals that die hard, of Spring, of love, of fish, of fools, April Fool's Day, also known as All Fools' Day is still laden with mystery and joy, still prospers in this third millennium,fostered and protected by tradition, from the ravages of time. The reason is simple ...according to ancient Roman poet Horace "it's lovely to be silly at the right moment"... A fool is better liked for his folly, than a wise man for his wisdom, So why not be a little foolish today; Of all the creatures that creep, swim or fly, Peopling the earth, waters and the sky, From Rome to Iceland, Paris to Japan, I really think, the greatest fool is man ... -- Nicholas Boileau Despreaux (1630-1711)
