Christmas is a joyous and sacred holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. This festive period, observed by Christians worldwide, holds profound significance as it celebrates the arrival of Jesus, who is the son of God and the savior of humanity. The holiday season, typically occurring from late December to early January, is marked by a series of traditions, including attending special church services, exchanging gifts, spending time with loved ones, and engaging in acts of charity. As part of the celebrations, many countries observe public holidays, allowing people to relax, recharge, and participate in the merriment with family and friends.
In this piece, I’ll be reflecting on my experiences of this festive season, drawing from my time spent in both village and city environments.l
Detty December in the Village
Growing up, one of my favorite festive periods was December. I looked forward to many things. I vividly remember my school days when I highly anticipated the Christmas vacation, which prepared us for the actual Christmas celebrations. Following this, I would browse through fashion calendars featuring the latest hairstyles and trendy clothing in Vogue. Next, I would visit the salon to book an appointment for the special day to get my hair done. As for clothing, when I was younger, my parents would go to the market and buy new clothes for us.
In the Eastern region of Nigeria where I come from, each community is assigned a specific date to celebrate their own Christmas after the general celebration on December 25. The Christmas celebration days are allocated to each community based on their market days. In my language, we have what is known as Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo – these are the popular market days in my community. The celebration period, tied to the market days, typically starts from December 25 and may extend to January 1st. The reason for this extension is that communities assigned to celebrate on December 25 might choose to postpone their celebration to a later date when more people are around to visit their homes, effectively shifting it to January 1.
On Christmas Day itself, which is the day allocated to my community, we would go to the market to buy ingredients for the dishes we would serve to our guests. We would prepare a variety of meals, including rice, beans, moi-moi, salad, soup, and pepper soup, as well as offer different drinks. From 1 pm onwards, guests would start arriving, and we would treat them to the various dishes we had prepared. We would wear our festive attire to welcome our guests. Throughout the day, traditional dancers would visit each home, playing their gongs and drums, and receiving gifts of money.
After the in-house entertainment, where various dishes and drinks were served, our guests – comprising friends and relatives – would gradually begin to depart. The visits could continue until evening. Next, we would head to the market square, where traditional dancers from different communities would gather to perform. Everyone would join in the dancing, and there would be fireworks, bangers, and knockouts on display. This vibrant celebration would last late into the evening.
Detty December in Lagos
Yes, this was my experience until I relocated to Lagos, where I encountered a different side of Detty December. For Lagosians, life goes on smoothly and steadily during this period. The roads may be empty in some cases, as people travel back to their hometowns for the celebrations, while others and the indigenes remain behind. The environment transforms with beautiful decorations visible in strategic locations, including individual homes, eateries, and other public places.
The markets get busier starting from December 20, with people rushing to stock up for the festive period. Some individuals head to the cinemas to catch the latest movie in town, while others visit places like the beach and other recreational parks. Kids have a blast in these parks, dancing and playing games.
It’s never dull in Lagos when it comes to Christmas. Classy cars, new hairstyles, and amazing outfits are on full display everywhere. At the very least, workers get some well-deserved days off to relax after their busy workdays.
Detty December is indeed a time of celebration and enjoyment, while also reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ. Even as an adult, I still look forward to celebrating Christmas. It’s also a time to thank God for making it possible for us to be alive, asking Him to continue guiding and protecting us as we look forward to the New Year.
Happy Christmas!
