Miss Sanyu, our epals' from Uganda teacher, was kind enough to send us a letter describing the Christmas customs in Uganda.
It is so interesting.Here is part of this letter:
It is so interesting.Here is part of this letter:
Today i want to share about Christmas, Christmas in Uganda is called
‘Sekukulu,’. ‘ Mukulike okutuuka ku mazaalibwa’ is the greeting that all
Ugandans greet each other with as they congratulate one another for yet
another Christmas added to their age.
The Christmas season is the most important holiday of the year in Uganda and very festive. Christmas is ushered in as early as the first week of December by a business boom caused by the purchase of new clothes and Christmas cards which are popular among the urban dwellers.
City authorities and churches organize christens caroling and many Christmas choirs participate with the lighting of giant trees in the cities.
Sekukulu is not about giving and receiving presents as Christmas in other countries because majority here cannot afford it, instead it is sharing, love , food and new clothes.
We do not use candles but the church is well lit, decorated and the service includes many Christmas carols. The real holiday cooking starts on the night of the 24th. The morning Sekukulu, the church is filled full capacity; even people who never go to church attend on this day. People set to wear their new clothes, especially the women who will show off their new clothes, especially the women who will show off their new traditional dresses in rich colors with matching turbans. The service is followed by an incredible feast.
Some families starts planning for Christmas October when families start pointing out chickens could be slaughted on Sekukulu. Those chickens are coddled to make sure that they are nice and fat for Christmas. Chicken plays a central role in the Christmas feasting. Families that cannot afford chicken any other time somehow would find a way to purchase one. The process of getting ready for Christmas and preparing the meals is not a chore, but a joy. Love is the major ingredient.
The evening before sekukulu is a very exciting time as the aroma of the foods being prepared fills the air. The children are busy cleaning the home, especially sweeping the courtyard. The excitement builds, s more and more food gifts arrives from family to supplement the already planned. Everybody eats and drinks until they cannot eat anymore. After the major feast it is time of storytelling, games, visiting friends, dancing and singing while drinking soda .
Am Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy,
blessing and much success.
Good luck, lots of love, happiness and all the best in 2013!
Thank you so much for your love and care towards us
We are proud of you,
Merry Christmas! Jesus is born
Love , Sanyu
The Christmas season is the most important holiday of the year in Uganda and very festive. Christmas is ushered in as early as the first week of December by a business boom caused by the purchase of new clothes and Christmas cards which are popular among the urban dwellers.
City authorities and churches organize christens caroling and many Christmas choirs participate with the lighting of giant trees in the cities.
Sekukulu is not about giving and receiving presents as Christmas in other countries because majority here cannot afford it, instead it is sharing, love , food and new clothes.
We do not use candles but the church is well lit, decorated and the service includes many Christmas carols. The real holiday cooking starts on the night of the 24th. The morning Sekukulu, the church is filled full capacity; even people who never go to church attend on this day. People set to wear their new clothes, especially the women who will show off their new clothes, especially the women who will show off their new traditional dresses in rich colors with matching turbans. The service is followed by an incredible feast.
Some families starts planning for Christmas October when families start pointing out chickens could be slaughted on Sekukulu. Those chickens are coddled to make sure that they are nice and fat for Christmas. Chicken plays a central role in the Christmas feasting. Families that cannot afford chicken any other time somehow would find a way to purchase one. The process of getting ready for Christmas and preparing the meals is not a chore, but a joy. Love is the major ingredient.
The evening before sekukulu is a very exciting time as the aroma of the foods being prepared fills the air. The children are busy cleaning the home, especially sweeping the courtyard. The excitement builds, s more and more food gifts arrives from family to supplement the already planned. Everybody eats and drinks until they cannot eat anymore. After the major feast it is time of storytelling, games, visiting friends, dancing and singing while drinking soda .
Am Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy,
blessing and much success.
Good luck, lots of love, happiness and all the best in 2013!
Thank you so much for your love and care towards us
We are proud of you,
Merry Christmas! Jesus is born
Love , Sanyu
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