It is that time to celebrate the achievements of the year with friends and family. It is also a time to relax, refresh and plan for next year. It is the Christmas season, one of the peak seasons globally. In December, people reunite with their families, relatives and friends who are always away the whole year. It is about people returning home to their families and communities to spend time together, eat food, enjoy music and play games. It is also often a month of ceremonies and traditional events such as weddings and send-offs (okwanjula, Kuhingira), house parties, among others.
How we celebrate Christmas in Uganda is a wonderful example of the true spirit of the holiday; it is about food, family, friends and God. Locally called Sekukkulu, Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December annually and it is one of the most important holidays in Uganda.
Companies, organizations, supermarkets, arcades and shopping malls start decorating and light Christmas trees at their entrances as early as 1st December. Church choirs sing Christmas carols and wherever you go, you will hear people wishing each other ‘Sekukkulu Ennungi’ meaning ‘Merry Christmas’.
The center of the celebrations is the birth of Jesus Christ and festivities begin the night before. First by decorating churches with candles, Christmas tree lights and balloons, among others and then at home; where children help prepare the home and food for the big feast the next day.
On Sekukkulu, people dress up in their best or new clothes to attend church services – including those who do not usually attend. Everyone enjoys the festive atmosphere and singing traditional carols, after all it is a celebration.
After church, everyone goes back home to a feast and at the center of the feast is chicken, well-seasoned and wrapped in smoked banana leaves (oluwombo) served with steamed matoke. This a traditional delicacy found only in Uganda. Along with the smoked chicken, all types of meat are served with rice, sweet potato, pumpkins, chapati, and vegetables; not forgetting drinks to accompany the food.
After the feast, families and friends celebrate with games, storytelling, singing, dancing, and knowing that everything is still closed the next day, this continues into the early hours.
Reflecting on 2nd Corinthians 9: 6-8, remember to share and celebrate Sekukkulu with the underprivileged since God loves a cheerful giver.
WE WISH OUR CLIENTS, FRIENDS AND FAMILIES A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
