I remember back in the days as a kid growing up, I used to
long for December festivities. It was only in December that we got the chance
to be spoilt as our folks took the back seat in matters discipline and watched
us from a distance as we misbehaved in the name of making merry. For some, it
was the only time in the year that they would make that long winding journeys
to the village to see ‘Cucu’ and ‘Guka’.For those travelling to Western
Kenya & Nyanza the trips would take them to Country bus station in the wee
hours of the night to battle it out with other travelers at least get a bus to
upcountry despite hiked fares.
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| Kenyan Style Christmas Tree |
Back in Nairobi, growing up in our middle income hood, I
recall on Christmas eve together with other kids, we went out of our way to cut
down branches off a tree-who’se name I don’t even know to date- as a Christmass
tree. With authority from our parents, we would then bring back the tree and
place it in a container, fill it up with stones and soil then place it at a
distinct corner of our the living room. What followed next was an elaborate
decoration of the tree with cigarette rizzlers(the shiny paper) and cotton
wool- which ostensibly were to stand in for snow (SMH). We would then blow up
ballons and tie them with strings on the stems of the trees.Finally,we would adorn
the tree with blinking Christmas lights to complete the look. What creativity!
Christmass eve’s were a thing to look forward to. It was on
such days that we would stay up late into the night with other kids from my
neighborhood around bonfires singing carols and basically just fooling around.
For some, prayer vigils(keshas) in
churches were a must while for others it was the only night in a year that they
had an opportunity to meet up and chat girls while doing God knows what hidden
by the shadows in dark corners.
In our household, my father was the first person to wake up
on Christmass morning. He was always in an upbeat mood as he popped in and cranked
up a Jim Reeves Christmas Special Cassette that he would then proceed to sing
and whistle to at the top of his lungs. Missing Christmass Church service was
sacrilegious in our house. My mother used to make sure that our Christmass
clothes were removed from the suit case the previous night and hang to air in
readiness for church the following morning.Oh,I remember that smell of moth
balls on those clothes!!Puuh!We wore those clothes proudly because it was a
privilege to have new clothes and look smart on Christmas day.
“ ♫♫ Once in royal David City ♪♪”… I remember singing to that song
from The Golden Bells book. Church on Christmas day was full to capacity as
habitual absentees came in full gusto to pay homage to the newly born Christ
like it was a pilgrimage. The sermons were ever so lively as we sang carol
after carol. |
| Christmas at Uhuru Park |
Once done with church, it was either Uhuru park for extended
festivities where families met up for boat rides and outings where mostly
chips,soda,queen cakes (ngumus) were
on the menu; not to mention photo sessions as many showed up in their best
Christmass attire.For some, it was the elaborate parties at their homes that
were the stuff Christmas was made of. Food (some, rare within the course of the
year) were on the menu as friends and relatives met and merried away.
The festive season kicked of earnestly with such happenings
all the way into new year’s eve before life went back to ‘normal’ after new
years as our folks sobered up to the realities of school fees and work. How I
long for the good old days.*Sighs*
It is a pity that nowadays we are so accustomed to frivolous
spending as we overlook the essence of Christmas. Events and concerts are the
stuff of neo-Christmas. Woe unto you if you do not have cash to splash around
this festive season. I miss the old school Christmas.Unfortunately,our kids
will grow up with the idea that Christmas is all about holidays, concerts and
drinking parties. But hey,I guess I will just have to get with the program.Right?Only
time will tell.
No matter what you do this festive season, enjoy yourselves
and remember Jesus is the reason for the season.
The Scribe rests his
pen.
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