In the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and many other countries, April 1 is the perfect day to play April 1st pranks on someone. However, in Spain, you don’t have to be wary of April Fools’ Day jokes. Because almost all of Spain, Spaniards play pranks and pranks on December 28. But what DO you have to be wary of?
That is in Galicia and in Menorca. In Menorca, on April 1, the Día del Engaño, the day of deceit, dedicated to jokes and lies, is celebrated. This tradition on the island began during the British reigns, in the seventeenth century. The name April fish, given to the victim of the prank, is linked to the zodiac: any event that occurred on that date is related to the fact that the Sun left the constellation Pisces.
In Galicia, too, people celebrate the ‘day of deception’ and like to play pranks. There’s a saying there: on the first of April, donkeys go where they shouldn’t go.
Rest of Spain pulls pranks on December 28
On el Dia de los Inocentes, December 28, just after Christmas, Spaniards go wild and do their utmost to make the title of the best Spanish jokes. From innocent jokes to made-up news items that make the international news. This day is like our April 1st. You can dress up with funny wigs or hats, and you can play pranks on the people around you. When you do this, you’re supposed to shout “innocente, innocente!” Also very common on this day is that someone sticks a drawing on your back.
Biblical Origins
The origin of December 28 is far from funny. Unlike other festivities such as April Fool’s Day, which originated from a comical event, this day began to be celebrated in Spain because of the massacre of the children of Bethlehem by King Herod. He had learned that Jesus had been born, and he had all the boys under the age of two killed. In this way he was sure that he could maintain his position as monarch.
For example, the holiday refers to the children who were sacrificed according to the Bible and legends. However, it still doesn’t explain why jokes are made during these dates. The reason could be the humorous culture that abounded among ordinary citizens in early spring. For example, with the pagan festival the ‘Saturnalia’. There, a fake king was chosen who played pranks on those present. But also with the Feast of Fools, where a child was dressed as a bishop and played the boss on that day.
