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I still recall as a little kid when my father held me while we walked past Flag Staff House to Christ the King Church. We recited Christmas carrols joyously as we moved on approaching mass. The season, I still remember, the period of the chilli, hazy, dry winds called harmattan.
I can call up nearly every detail of those Christmases and all the good feelings. The way we walked in groups in our new outfits--the conservative black double breasted wool suits, Van Huesen pinstriped shirts and black bow ties while the girls had their hair braided and tied with colorful head ties, with glossy black shoes and knee-length stockings.
The girls looked more like Franciscan Friars, and we boys more like seminarians to be ordained one day as Fathers and Cardinals of the Catholic Church. We also sang along, the hyms, with graciousness of Christmas spirit. The spirit of good feelings and time to express our love and giving.
Oh come all ye faithful.
I can call up nearly everything--except the emotion, the overwhelmingly waves that beat upon my friends and me down the long stream of days throughout the Chrismas season. To think about those times is more to recall that we had a certain feeling. A feeling different from the digital age and "daddy, I want a playstation for Christmas," "I want a hundred bucks for excursion with my friends" to Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios-Hollywood, Norris Center for the Performing Arts, and all sorts of raffle draws to promote the school band, the school cheer, box office hits and the explosive world of Hip-Hop concerts.
My Chrismas, I still can recall was a gathering of my friends with no discussions about gifts, toys, having breakfast or dinner at Olive Garden, or going to the mall to see what new kids outfit is out there by Old Navy, Sean John, Nike, Claireborne, 2Gees, Fubu and the now notorious North Pole.
Our dresses and clothes were custom made sewn by our parents' tailors and seamstresses.
But I loved the way things were. In my neigborhood, we walked down the road bypassing the affluent Kanda Estate to Ruga Park where we played football barefooted and formed our own teams, and engaged in seasonal tournaments having no trophies to lift. We played for its sake and enjoyed every moment of it.
It's the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of good feelings.
There in Ruga, me and my buddies were all happy, I suppose, and we never complained about toys and what special presents we would want for Chrismas. We were the classics of a newer generation.
It is still in my memory, the houses where we lived in my childhood, the churches we attended, my first day at school and how we walked home in groups--and how the community and all the houses of my parents' friends--were simultaneously alike. The gramaphones and akwukwo ukwe.
I also remember my parents' devotion to the Catholic Church. I remember learning the hymns (ancient and modern) and Chrismas Carrols. But I don't remember being happy or sad. There were happy things and sad things, moments of unbeareable fear and uncertainties, moments of happiness I had no idea what to call it.
But I always loved Christmas and its spirit of giving and happiness. Let us all show that spirit.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!!!
[ December 20, 2002, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: Ambrose ]
Posts: 292 | Registered: Mar 2001
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It's that special time of the year again, the Christmas season and the holidays, that wonderful, magic time when there will be stories and tales of the glories of Christmas long, long ago.
Tis the season when all the handles At BNW light there candles And for the risen Christ chant in unison
Halleluiah! Hallelujah!
Merry Christmas!! Happy New Year!!!
___________________ No Biafran will be permitted to play Mother Theresa to the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani, but play Osama Bin Laden to the Igbo or Biafrans! Posts: 1182 | Registered: Mar 2001
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The season when a huge and regal-looking old man with white hair and a long white beard dressed in a long white and red robe. Hanging from a rope over his shoulder is a bag full of presents. A bag full of of candies. He is Father Christmas.
Merry Christmas!!! Happy New Year!!!
___________________ Jesus is Lord Posts: 96 | From: Dallas, Texas | Registered: Aug 2002
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Great people, As I share this season with you guys here in the good ol' America, I cant help saying GREETINGS OF THE SEASONS!
May you all be SUCCESSFUL in 2003 and beyond in ALL that you do THAT IS GOOD.
To my people back in Alimania: ICH WUNSCH EUCH SEHR SCHEONE WEINACHTEN UND GESUNDES NEUES JAHR!!!
Posts: 997 | From: Germany | Registered: Mar 2001
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Oh come all ye faithful, was one of the songs my choir sang in the Christmas Eve carol I was part of in the good old days.
Actually, for my generation of kids, Christmas begins with the thanksgiving where the big guys and their equally big dames in Kano made huge donations followed by Bazaar. Our parents' devotion to the Church was manifested in the making of the bazaar a huge success.
That’s is also how we knew that "Xmas is by the corner". We never got gifts directly from our parents, but you could say, the buying of new shoes, going to the tailor to be measured were our gifts. The Van Hausen, Arrow, Burberry stuffs were more for my big brothers generation.
The carols started after the Church service Christmas eve, the whole night in what Ambrose called harmattan. At the conclusion we got some gifts and were told to go freshen up for church service. There was no talk of sleep.
Then on Christmas day after the church service we visited family friends in the hope they gave money and less food.
Christmas comes in many forms, now that I have experienced Xmas the African and European way, I look forward to experiencing it the Yankee way. Turkey is the keyword. If they say, the spirit of Christmas is the spirit of good feelings, then I have come to the right place with "Igwebuike" clan in the East Coast.
Although it’s been said many times, many ways – MERRY CHRISTMAS to YOU ALL! And a Prosperous New NEW_YEAR 2003.
Posts: 191 | From: Denmark | Registered: Apr 2001
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2002 has been pretty eventful in more than one way. I have been priviledged to "yarn" with some of you boys and girls over the phone including seeing your photos.
I am almost certain of having a cup of tea/coffee with some forumites in year 2003.
We have paid the price, we have bridged the chasm Between cyber and real world. We have proved and shown We are not afraid to RELATE. As the natural realm drifts From order ever leaning towards chaos, Belief and focus shall eventually prevail.
My bag is packed, My destination ohafia. I shall remember BNW with fondness While I revel in the haramattan breeze. I shall eat whatever is in season And I'll "yarb" my age grade As we are won't to do. Hey, have a very merry Christmas And a very prosperous new year.
De tondo mi corazon, OU
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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At the begining of the year some of us called on all to do something positive for our people this year.I am glad some picked up the gauntlet and went beyond spewing rhetoric while hiding behind anonymous handles on the pages of the message board. Well done my brothers and sisters.
To those of you who sacrificed for what you believe in the last 12 months merry christmas and a prosperous new year. Do not relent in your efforts in the coming year. To those of you still hiding behind your anonymous handles while doing nothing to advance whatever it is you believe in, a merry christmas to you too and consider making a sacrifice for your beliefs in the coming year. Don't forget freedom of speech comes with certain responsibilities and lots of sacrifice. Chukwu gozie unu umunnem.
Posts: 1532 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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The December 25th is believed to be the birth of an era in humanity. It is the birth of our JESUS CHRIST and it's immense influence for peace. "All history is incomprehensible without CHRIST". [Waypoint 1Biafra]
Please, HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAX AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Hail Biafra
[ December 23, 2002, 09:03 PM: Message edited by: Waypoint1Biafra ]
Posts: 1672 | From: Minnesota USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Who knows, on this CXhristmas Eve, Some strange things may happen In Billings, and in motherland, Angels and other religious statues Coming to Churches and homes Across the world, we knoweth peace
Merry Chrismas; Happy New Year!
___________________ Be Free Posts: 42 | From: Billings, MT. USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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You bring the joy of christmas to life, recalling those wonderful times of innocence, peace, tranquil and hope. I also remember those beautiful Xmas mornings, especially how in our restlessness, we thought we could chase the night away, and speed up the dawn.
Daylight christmas day, was cherished more than words can describe. Needless to say that finally, we could wear those fancy garbs of our fashion delight. As the sweet smell of tasty cooking filled the air around us, reinforcing the strong ties of community and friendship, every door to every house was an open invite to wine and dine.
Those were the times of joy, merry and gladness. Oh ! how I wish that every child in BiafraNigeria can experience this youthful rite of passage.
Merry Christmas to you all, and especially you Amby, for making me relive those beautiful days again, as we did together in our childhood playground.
Posts: 119 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2001
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Merry Christmas and a great new year to all.
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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I've not recovered from my nights of pub-crawling. But I hope you all had a good one, not the bad one you get caught up in a sobriety checkpoint.
Happy holidays and a happy new year!!!
___________________ THE MORE YOU LOOK THE LESS YOU SEE Posts: 539</
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