At the start of April 1907, a local newspaper reported that “All Fools Day” had taken place on Monday 1st April as usual but had something interesting to say about “April Fools Day”.
The reporter commented, “All Fools Day was with us on Monday, but like other old fashioned customs, it is going into oblivion. Nobody seems to tease each other with japes and jokes anymore and this was abundantly clear in Blantyre this week. We predict with some foresight and confidence that this day which once made children, men and women laugh heartily, will no longer be around by the time the decade is out.”
A prediction of course which was wrong! But interesting nonetheless. The custom of setting aside a day for playing harmless pranks upon one’s neighbour has been relatively common in the world historically.
So, do we agree? Has Blantyre lost its sense of humour?
