April 1st is known worldwide as April Fools’ Day, a day for pranks and practical jokes. However, not all countries celebrate the day in the same way. In fact, some have their own unique customs and traditions. Below is a list compilation of 10 bizarre April Fools’ Day traditions from around the world.
- In Scotland, the tradition of “hunting the gowk” involves sending someone on a wild goose chase, often to find a nonexistent item.
- In France, April Fools’ Day is called “Poisson d’Avril” or “April Fish,” and it’s customary to stick paper fish on people’s backs without them knowing.
- In Iran, the day is called “Sizdah Bedar,” which means “13th day out,” and people spend the day outside picnicking and playing pranks on each other.
- In Portugal, people throw flour at each other on April Fools’ Day, a tradition that dates back to the 16th century.
- In Brazil, the day is called “Dia da Mentira,” which means “Day of Lies,” and it’s customary to tell outrageous lies and see who can get away with it.
- In India, the festival of Holi falls on April 1st, and it’s a day of colorful celebration and mischief-making.
- In Belgium, children lock their parents out of the house and demand treats as ransom on April Fools’ Day.
- In Mexico, the day is called “Dia de los Santos Inocentes,” or “Day of the Holy Innocents,” and people play pranks on each other just like on April Fools’ Day.
- In Italy, the tradition of “Pesce d’Aprile” involves sticking paper fish on people’s backs, similar to the French tradition.
- In the United States, pranks and practical jokes are commonplace on April Fools’ Day, but one of the most famous is the annual Google prank, where the company announces a fake product or feature.
These are just a few examples of the many unique April Fools’ Day traditions around the world. Whether you’re hunting the gowk in Scotland or sticking a paper fish on someone’s back in France, the day is all about having fun and not taking things too seriously.
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