December 28th is celebrated April Fool’s Daya date that combines a dark episode in Christian history with traditions of a playful nature that invite jokes and deception.
Its origin goes back to a Story from the Gospel of Matthewwhich describes the massacre of children under the age of two in Bethlehem. According to Christian tradition, this is King Herod the Great ordered this destruction after feeling threatened by the announcement of the birth of the “King of the Jews.” For believers, these children are considered the first martyrs of Christianity because they died in place of Jesus. This religious commemoration was officially established by the church in the 4th century honor the memory of the victims of this cruel act.
Despite its tragic roots, the holiday underwent a radical metamorphosis in the Middle Ages. The influence of the Roman Saturnalia, celebrated in December with a role reversal and a great deal of permissiveness, began to penetrate the Christian calendar. Historians point out that the transition to the festive was consolidated with the “Fiesta de los Locos” (Fiesta de los Locos) (Festum Fatuorum), a church celebration in which minor clergy played authority and indulged in liturgical parodies and transgressive behavior in the temples.
Authoritarians don’t like that
The practice of professional and critical journalism is a mainstay of democracy. That is why it bothers those who believe that they are the owners of the truth.
The fusion of the sacred and the profane
The Association of religious celebrations through the “innocent saints” and the debauchery of the crazy parties led to the custom of “Innocentadas”. In Spain and Latin America, the day became an ideal setting for carrying out harmless deceptions. The logic behind this transformation suggests that, just as Herod was “deceived” by the Magi, They did not return to reveal the whereabouts of JesusCitizens have become accustomed to deceiving others through pranks that test the victims’ gullibility.
Today, commemorations vary significantly by region. It is common to see him in many Spanish-speaking countries Paper dolls glued to the back from unsuspecting passers-by. The media also actively participates by publishing absurd or unbelievable news that is denied the next day. One of the most widespread traditions in Argentina and other countries in the region is the phrase: “Innocent little pigeon you let fool” immediately after revealing that the victim’s situation was a simple joke.
Which saint is commemorated today, December 24th?
The anniversary is in certain Spanish cities takes on the dimensions of a folk festival. A notable example is the “Fiesta de los Enharinados” in Ibi, Alicante, where a pitched battle is re-enacted using flour, eggs and dust, simulating a humorous coup. In other areas, for example in the Andean states of Venezuela, the festival “Los Locos y Locainas” is celebrated, where People in colorful masks and costumes They walk the streets dancing and begging, keeping alive the carnival spirit that the church has tried to regulate for centuries.
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