Art & Fashion@ITRealms:
Christmas in Nigeria is a huge celebration for all the citizens,
not only those who belong to the Christian faith. A lot of people travel home
to their villages and the families who remain in town, come together to
celebrate and have fun. From long parties on Christmas eve to caroling,
feasting, and gift-giving, high spirit celebrations abound all through the
season. However, there are certain customs and traditions that are unique and
now associated with Nigerians for the holiday. While some are sweet, others
strike us as rather quirky.
Top five favorite Christmas
traditions from around the country, include the issue of Christmas Cloth,
Christmas Rice, Christmas tree and decorations, all-day knock-out, and finally,
Father Christmas.
Christmas Cloth
No matter the tribe, religion or social status, Nigerians are
known to go all out on shopping for the holidays, and most importantly, they
select the most gorgeous of all apparels to wear on the 25th of December, the day marked out to celebrate the Christmas
holiday. Some families go all out to make custom designs, identical fabrics or
uniform colors for every single member of the family. In some areas, different
families try to outdo each other by wearing elaborate styles when they go
visiting on the day. It all adds to the holiday fun and excitement.
Christmas Rice
The idea of Christmas rice has become a tradition in the country.
You hear friend asking each other, “Where is my Christmas rice?” or making such
comments as “I will visit you for my Christmas rice.” While the rice is can be
prepared in a variety of ways- either jollof rice or fried rice, it is
customary that rice is available for guests when they call on you for x-mas.
The rice can be garnished with chicken, goat meat and combined with other
appetizers or desserts, depending on what the family can afford. This is also
the reason why some companies gift their workers with rice and oil prior to the
holiday.
Christmas tree and decorations
Like most other
countries of the world, Nigerians go all out with Christmas decorations. It
does not only end with families putting up Christmas trees in their home and
draping their windows with gold balls and strings of light. The major streets
and boulevards are also decorated elaborately, and major shopping malls, as
well as office buildings, sparkle with Christmas lights. People go further to
exchange Christmas-themed cards with family members, friends, and colleagues,
while some celebrities and public figures go all out on photo shoots for cards
which they distribute to fans and supporters, all in the spirit of the holiday.
All-day Knock-out
Knock-out is the popular phrase Nigerians use for firecrackers and
bangers. Almost every Nigerian pops some fireworks all through the 25th of December - Christmas day. It usually starts on the Christmas
Eve. Some families actually make a ceremony out of it, making videos and
posting online or on their family pages. Smaller children tend to take
advantage of the custom to play pranks on passersby, throwing the firecracker
around them while they least suspect it. The lights and rush of adrenalin
that comes with the knock-outs is what makes the tradition so exciting.
Father Christmas
Originally, Nigerians expect only “father Christmas” to visit them
on Christmas day with gifts and goodie bags. The idea of Santa only started
creeping into the country in recent time from American media and citizens who
have migrated into the country. Now, offices have ‘Secret Santa’ events where
people exchange gifts, write Santa lists and families take their children
dressed in new outfits to see Santa Claus. The good thing is that both concepts
are the same, except for the mix up with names.
*A
contribution by Nkem Ndem, a PR associate @Jumia Travel
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