Let's rejoice with care

The tradition of splashing water is part of the Śmigus-Dyngus celebration on Easter Monday in Poland. It is also practised during the Wattah Wattah Festival in the Philippines, as well as various water festivals such as Songkran in Thailand and Thingyan in Myanmar.

These celebrations often revolve around themes like fertility, purification, and the New Year. They are symbolically done to bestow good fortune, cleanse the spirit, and promote communal celebration.

In South Africa, a similar tradition is observed, especially in townships, to welcome spring on the first day of September by splashing water. However, there is increasing concern that this practice has, at times, caused unintended consequences, as it occasionally involves unwilling participants.

A recent viral Facebook video shows an individual, formally dressed, being doused with water against his will. Despite his disinclination, a crowd of adults and children continued to drench him, leading to tensions. Soaked and visibly distressed, he vows retribution against one of his assailants with the words, "I will make you pay for this."

In another viral clip, a man in his car, with the window rolled down, is targeted while driving. He reacts by stopping his vehicle and chasing after the culprits with a sjambok in hand.

One woman related a story of a woman who was on her way to an interview when she was poured over with water. Because she was running late, she proceeded to her interview and lost a chance of getting a job.

In another chilling video clip on TikTok, a vendor pushing his vegetable trolley is doused with water, and takes out a knife and chases after one of the culprits. Unfortunately, the video ends abruptly.

While the spirit of enjoyment is acknowledged, it is important to emphasise that such traditions should ideally be consensual and shared among willing participants. When these actions are carried out without consideration for others, they can lead to potentially dangerous outcomes.