Christmas, Christmas everywhere?

So it’s fair to say that here in Africa you would be forgiven for not knowing that Christmas is just round the corner. Whilst the school holidays are well underway, the ‘big day’ is approached and celebrated in a very different fashion. There is none of the hype, it is barely discussed. There are no decorations that might hint at what is approaching. And there are no apparent rituals to get the juices flowing nor the kids hyperexcited (oh and of course nothing to encourage you to dig into your pockets constantly to spend money).

It is very refreshing.

Tanzania is a very religious country (of several faiths) and The Church an important part of much of the population’s lives. Christmas is a very important celebration here. As far as we can determine so far, it is celebrated as a coming together of families, a sharing of a special meal, worshiping at church and time of thanks for all that they have (which for many isn’t much, but they’re still very grateful for what they do have). There seems to be very little if any expectation of gifts, beyond perhaps those of food and drink shared at a meal. Like several things here, it is a way that sits far more comfortably with me than where we have got to in the UK. I love Christmas. I love the merriment and fun. I love the message of joy, kindness and selflessness. I love that it is a time to celebrate with families and friends. Regardless of your position in terms of faith, the message of Christmas is a strong and powerful one. But I loathe the commerciality of it, the expectations that this brings (not least from bright eyed children who are less able to resist the constant barrage of ‘noise’) and of course the disappointment when things are not what might have been hoped for.

Salt Dough Decorations

Here in the Tanzanian Shim household, we are able to choose the best of both worlds. We are warming up to Christmas with our daily advent activities (as parents we both have our strengths, I bow to Kate’s genius and dedication in this regard). The children love dipping their hands into the little numbered stockings that make up our advent calendar, each taking a turn every third day, and pulling out the hand written instruction for the day (occasionally accompanied by a sweet treat). Making decorations, baking mince pies, buying a ‘christmas tree’ to name but a few. It’s such fun. And I am definitely warming up to the ‘big day’.

We have had a lovely weekend. Yesterday we enjoyed a fantastic day trip to Tanga to swim in the sea and eat lunch at the opulent Yacht Club (expensive for Tanzania, very cheap by UK prices). On the way home we stopped and bought a new ‘christmas tree’. I am delighted to report that this one seems to be a much better buy and it is thriving, opposed to our first effort two weeks ago that was clearly a completely inappropriate choice of plant and died rapidly! Today has been a day at home. Which beyond some nice meals and fun with the family, has involved some improvised DIY activities (like making our new gas cooker safe!) servicing the water filtration vessel (reducing our carbon / plastic foot print) as well as some catching up on a few other things.