The idea of Christmas clothes, shoes, rice, meat, and drink has become a tradition in Nigeria. Most times, you hear children asking their parents, “Where is my Christmas cloth, shoes, rice, meat, or drink?” or making such comments as “I will visit you for my Christmas rice and meat, referring to their friends and relatives.” Most parents in Nigeria begin the Christmas shopping for their children in early December, and they start to save for the shopping from the beginning of the year. It’s no longer news that buying Christmas clothes and shoes has become a tradition among Nigerians. This is because virtually all Christians in the country buy new clothes and shoes to be worn to church or for outings during the Yuletide.
Firecrackers, popularly called knockouts and bangers by Nigerians, are another amazing thing that cheers people up during Christmas celebrations. Almost every Nigerian youngster pops some champagne during Christmas celebrations starting from Christmas Eve. It makes the celebration so exciting and memorable as people who are scared of the firecrackers would be creating some funny scenes once they hear the sound.
In those days when we were kids going for outings on Christmas Day, the guys [boys] among us usually threw the knockout along the road for fun and to scare people around.
Most times, they throw it when they arrive at the premises of people whom they assumed would give them a reasonable amount of money for Christmas. They do that to cheer the members of the family they visit and wish them a Merry Christmas in the process.
The Colourful Traditional Masquerade
The colourful traditional masquerade equally helps to entertain people during Christmas celebrations because they move around in some cities and villages, inducing laughter in the people.
Most times they chase children on the road to scare them away.
The Igbo people of the southeastern part of Nigeria, which comprises Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, and Ebonyi states, have a rich cultural heritage. Evidence to the above assertion could be seen in their colourful traditional masquerade, which entertains people during the Yuletide. You would see these colourful masquerades parading in most cities and villages in the eastern part of the country, entertaining people through dancing and, in turn, making money.
Family Reunion
The Yuletide period is the season extended families, close relatives, and blood relations meet up for annual family meetings and reunions. It is the season most lovers wed in the church or marry traditionally. They fix their events during that period because it's the time to meet the people who matter to them and their families. It is equally the season of reconciliation among family members and friends.
Those who died long ago are equally not forgotten during this period, as most families celebrate in memorial, the remembrance of the souls of their departed ones. Churches equally do harvest thanksgiving and create an avenue for their members to do family thanksgiving. The aim of doing family thanksgiving for some is to thank God for preserving their lives and that of their family all through the year. Some of these families also use the opportunity to celebrate and eat together as one.
However, churches that have lots of financial projects fix their harvest thanksgiving during the festive period when they would get the very rich people in their communities to support them. Virtually everyone would want to fix their events during this period because it's a time to get many families and friends that matter to one at home and in great numbers.
