Being someone of Igbo descent and residing in Lagos, the holiday usually goes two ways. Either both my family and I spend it in Lagos, with our neighbors that didnβt travel, or we travel down to the east and spend it with our extended family.
Growing up, we used to spend it in Lagos most of the time. I grew up in a large compound with other families, so it was extra fun to spend Christmas in Lagos with other kids my age.
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We would beg our parents for money to buy bangers and fireworks. And back in the compound, we would take turns lighting them up and running away, giggling, waiting for them to explode.
Thatβs what Christmas was about those days; being cheerful with the community and eating good food. We would often share food to people on the side of the road as well. I remember, once the clock hit 12, huge fireworks from all over would light up the night sky, and we would all shout MERRY CHRISTMAS!
For the past three consecutive years, though, we have spent every Christmas in the East. This is because my siblings and I were at the university, located in the east, so it was always easier for my mom to travel down to meet us there.
It was undeniably tricky deciding where to spend Christmas this year because, by some miracle, my siblings and I are all currently in Lagos. But, after much deliberation, we decided to travel down to the east to spend it.
Why? Well, for one, my uncle is finally getting marriedπ π , and we wouldnβt want to miss that. The second reason is that my induction ceremony into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria is coming up next week, so Iβll be travelling back to school anyway. Oh, and my distant cousin is getting married as well.
So itβs safe to say there will be a lot of celebrations this Decemberππ. Besides, itβs always fun to spend Christmas back home in Anambra State. I have a ton of cousins of literally all agesπ , (I come from a large family), and fun and merriment are guaranteed with them.
My Grandpa & Cousins
I low-key cannot wait to travel and reunite with my people. A typical day in the village consists of waking up early in the morning and doing our different chores. The boys are usually assigned to clean the compound, while the girls prepare breakfast with my aunties in the kitchen.
The little ones watch TV and wait for bath and breakfast time. When food is ready, everyone converges at the kitchen, holding their plates and spoons to take their food, and then we all wander off to eat. In the afternoon, the girls help our aunties cook lunch, then we eat again, and the same thing happens at night.
Cooking is not easy at all because everyone combined; we are usually up to more than 30 people. So we typically spend a significant amount of time in the kitchen preparing food.
When I was younger, I didnβt feel the stress when we traveled; the only thing I was worried about was playing with my cousins and petting our yard animals. But now that Iβm older, more responsibilities have fallen on my shoulders, and I gotta say, the holiday periods are not for the weak.
If it means I get to hang out with my people, I'm up for everything. Nothing beats spending time with family, AKA talking about the latest family gossip with your cousinsπ π .
Merry Christmas in advance, and I hope you enjoy your holiday too!
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