Christmas: The Excitement; The Anxieties

By Toluwani Olamitoke

Hampers displayed at the market

For many Nigerians, the last four months of the year (September, October, November and December, often called the ‘ember’ months) invoke a lot of fear.

This fear, according to information gathered by Saturday Tribune, arises from the fact that these four months are believed to be bedevilled with evil, as inexplicably, there seems to always be an upsurge in tragic road and even domestic accidents, among other things.

As a result, many are usually on the edge when the ‘ember’ months approach. Speaking with Saturday Tribune, Mrs. Enzinwe Obaiku, a sales representative, stressed that “The ‘ber’ months are horrible and so many families go into fasting and prayer to avert the evils associated with them.

“We had two plane crashes within these months about three years back which claimed the lives of notable Nigerians and school children. The entourage of former Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, was involved in a fatal auto accident that same year. This year, many have been burnt to death on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Last year in Lagos, many died around the same period due to an inferno in Lagos on Boxing Day. The months are bad.”

But despite the pessimism held against these months, Nigerians have always eagerly looked forward to the last “ember” month of the year, December. “The month of December marks the end of the year; people are anxious and also excited at the same time,” said Mrs Temilade Adepoju, a legal practitioner.

She went on, “The anxiety over the month of December is sometimes over a disturbing fact that one had not met all his/her set goals in the year. There is also the excitement of having Christmas around the corner. It signifies a time of celebration.”

David Louis, a primary school teacher, said, “The month of December ushers in Christmas and the yelutide season. Everywhere around the globe, the month is taken as special, while preparations towards Christmas are made. Homes, schools, establishments, churches and the society at large are not left out.”

Talking about Christmas, this is a day set aside annually by Christians all round the globe to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians during this period celebrate the great love the Heavenly Father has bestowed upon them by giving His only begotten son as the saviour and Redeemer of mankind from their sins.

Viewing the society today, however, the original significance of the yelutide season has been overshadowed by other activities. This could be illustrated with the following groaning of a housewife:

“Papa Bomboy, na you I dey talk to. Christmas is drawing near, the children need new clothes for celebration. Last year, you used boneface dabaru the whole thing. This time, it won’t work. Me self, I want something new to celebrate am. Abi, which time you buy sometin for me last?”

In many homes, the yelutide season is welcomed with mixed feelings. While the heart is filled with the joy of witnessing another time of celebration, the fear of the failure of not meeting the demands of the home grips many parents.

Calculations are made, brains are racked. The caressing voice which has up till now crooned ‘dear’, ‘honey’, ‘sweetheart’ now rages with demands for the times. Mothers’ sonorous comforting voices now change to a high-pitched ‘Go and meet your father; I don’t have money’.

Fathers on their part change their countenance and put up a sign: Don’t bother me; I don’t have money either.” In several homes, smiles go on leave, frowns and sighing take over. Parents are found snapping at each other, or worse still, quarreling – all because of Christmas.

“If I can buy 22 bags of rice, 30 tins of groundnut oil and 15 bags of salt to sell during the Christmas period...,” she is thinking. She brings out her sales book, and writes down the items, calculating the amount. “Not too bad” she says to herself. “I am bound to make much gain on the sales. By the time I start selling, their prices will have gone up.”

“Traders make life difficult for the masses during Christmas season,” Mrs. Bisi Olaleye, a computer operator, complained while speaking to Saturday Tribune. “Prices of items are increased, leading to financial stress in homes. children are left dejected and disappointed because their expectations and needs are not met.”

Schools, especially the private primary schools, have devised their own means of extorting money from parents during the Christmas period.

“Children, don’t forget to remind mummies and daddies next week Wednesday is your Christmas entertainment day. We will start by 2.00pm. Remind them also that their donations would be welcome,” the proprietress of Young Brains Nursery and Primary School, Ikotun, Lagos, told her pupils.

With the mention of donation, a radiant smile enveloped her aging face. According to Dr. Tonye Ilevbare, a dentist, “Aside having to provide for the kids clothing and special meal at this period, schools expect and even demand money from parents. We give our children money for Christmas party, another to visit Father Christmas while donation is also asked for.

“In some schools, teachers demand for Christmas gifts as a right. At the end of the day, one would likely have spent something close to N3,000 on each child in school aside what would be provided them at home. By January, parents are expected to pay school fees for the new term, while those who fail to do so have their children sent home. This season brings along with it a lot of demands.”

In establishments, the display is great. Hampers of various shapes and sizes flow into offices. The bearers walk in, stop briefly at the receptionist’s desk to get a nod. Next, they move towards the secretary’s table and in a flash, hop into the big boss’s office. These hampers sing ‘Remember me when I need you’.

Parties can’t be exempted at the mention of Christmas. they are organised by individuals, families, societies, organisations and the like. Drinks flow; people drink to their fill and some more than their fill. to a number of people, this season offers free ‘booze’ and thus create opportunity to drink as many bottles as are made available.

Sometimes in attendance at such parties are call girls or professional prostitutes who have the privilege and access to both free delicious meal and also the opportunity of securing customers for the night.

At such parties, the wise leave at the end of the show with their senses; some get tipsy but still make it home. others make the gutters and the roadside their beds for the night. filled with the spirit of Christmas, some turn reckless at the wheels of their cars. for these, it’s time to engage in a car race. Such races they never win, and Christmas they don’t celebrate.

The fortunate ones end in the hospital, dressed in their Christmas costume – the POP. The unfortunate ones celebrate theirs in the mortuary, occupying a room each in the cold building. The ray of Christmas is beaming forth. The hustling and bursting of the season is going round. Of what significance is the season to you?