Chrismas!
The festival of love, happiness and carols. A celebration that brings smiles and joy to the face of all those who experiences it.
When I think of Christmas in Nigeria, I am reminded of the laughs and the joys. Christmas is always fun-filled. The euphoric feeling is always there. One of my greatest joys as a Nigerian kid was seeing the famous father Christmas from Rome. He is always available for kids to see and talk to while he gives them presents for coming out to see him.
Another great delight will be shooting of bangers and fireworks. Christmas in Nigeria is not complete without the sound of bangers being shot in the air everywhere – as it is popularly called, ‘Knockout’ in this part of the world. Almost every Nigerian kid and youth has at one point in time tried out these fireworks, beginning from December through to the new year.
Some families even go all out by marking it as an event, making videos and posting online for the sake of fun and excitement. Some kids tend to take advantage of the custom to scare passersby. Throwing the bangers around them while they least expect it, all for the fun of it.
The light-sparkle and rush of adrenalin that comes with the bangers is what makes the tradition so exciting and fulfilling for most Nigerians
Chrismas and Giving
Also in Nigeria, we celebrate Christmas with giving, feasting and merry-making. Christmas is associated with homecoming, feasting and giving to the society. It is a season to eat all your best delicacies without holding back.
For the holidays, Nigerians pack their bags to go home and celebrate with their extended family and loved ones. We reconnect with our loved ones and enjoy a season of physical family bonding. While doing this, we extend our celebration to everyone around us. Making sure no one is left out in the celebration, food is cooked, packaged and served to the entire community.
Growing up, I remember Christmas as a time to look forward to because of the great vibes, ambience, varieties of foods, and the new clothes we got to wear.
Christmas is one of the few occasions my parents allow us to eat outside with other families. They allow this because they understand sharing as one of the core celebrations of Christmas season – sharing of love with the society, showing that there is no difference in class by eating together.
All these not only added to the beauty of Christmas, rather it also resonated the message of love in Christmas to us. Christmas is a time of love, a time to share, a time to make merry and a time to give and receive love.
Even in Nigeria, a country full of people from diverse religions, tribes and cultures, all differences are forgotten and people unite over the joy of the season. We eat and drink together for it is a season of love.
Enjoy the season of Love.
Merry Christmas
