Dr Moses Amweelo
Christmas Day in Namibia is a joyous occasion celebrated with family and friends. People come together to share traditional meals, exchange gifts, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
The warm weather, beautiful landscapes, and unique wildlife of Namibia make for an unforgettable holiday experience. Christmas Day is also marked with cheerful carols, colourful decorations, and plenty of festive cheer. Christmas Day falls on Monday, 25 December, in Namibia.
I grew up in a small community village, Okatana. Christmas celebrations always were and still are special times for this community in our village. Starting our December festival season, the community church leaders selected some scriptures from the Bible, mostly from Isaiah, Luke, Matthew, and John, and assigned verses to each family. All shopping was done during the first two weeks of December.
The preparation and baking of all types of cakes, biscuits, and cookies was done during the third week. All shops closed at noon on 24 December, and at 5pm all the Christmas activities began, and the families and friends got together at the church hall, where the Christmas play was held. After the play, each family recited their Bible verses.
At 11pm, the church service started. It lasted until midnight. Then they rang the church bells, and thereafter the fireworks began. The day of 25 December will be a public holiday in most countries around the world. If 25 December falls on a weekend, then a near weekday may be taken as a holiday in lieu. Whilst the holiday has a strong grounding in the story of the birth of Jesus, many of the traditions we associate with Christmas have evolved beyond purely a Christian holiday to have a wider secular significance.
As Christianity began to take hold across the Roman empire and beyond, the date of when to celebrate the birth of Christ became a bit of an issue, with several different dates proposed. It wasn’t until 350 AD, when the then Bishop of Rome, Pope Julius I, fixed the official Christmas day on 25 December.
Being a predominantly Christian country, Namibia happily celebrates Christmas. This can be seen in the brightly lit Christmas lights in the streets and the carols echoing in all shopping centres. And as Namibia houses a kaleidoscope of cultures, what better way to embrace the diversity than to look at the various traditions that are implemented around Christmas time? When Namibia is blessed with December rains, it is the best time to be on the farm. They source a Christmas tree from the bush, usually a dried-out tree or big branch that can be decorated. Christmas Eve is spent mostly outside. “We prepare all kinds of delicious finger foods. Then it is time to unwrap presents. We share scripture, things that we are grateful for, and memories of previous Christmases spent with family members and friends that are no longer with us earthside.
The musically gifted would then share some tunes with us on the piano or guitar for a sing-along.” For Christmas Day, they prepare an opulent meal to be shared with friends and family. Afterwards, they live on leftovers for a few more days.
“It is nothing fancy, but it is wholesome quality time with people we love, delicious food, commemoration, reflection, and time to be still.’’ They spend most of the 24 December preparing for their Christmas Eve dinner and eating boiled cod fish, goat meat with Omahangu porridge and lots of vegetables.
Dinner is usually at around 22h00, and then at the stroke of midnight, they open all their gifts. While staying awake until quite late and then continuing to celebrate the next day, with leftovers and a roast of some kind.
The morning of Christmas Eve, a Christmas tree (big or small) is never forgotten, and it can take many different forms like the Jackalberry (Omwandi) tree branches used by Aawambo people, in northern Namibia as it adds a Namibian flair.
Our family usually places the small tree branches on the individual huts and building structures within the homestead, and a big branch is then placed within the Boma (Oshoto). In the late afternoon, various ornaments are placed on the tree branch set in the Oshoto by all family members as they simultaneously share sweet treats. Thereafter, a fire is lit, and biblical scriptures are read, followed by Christmas carols.
The morning of Christmas Day, children and adults visit the neighbours’ homesteads to share sweets and treats and check in with them if they all made it to Christmas, there is a phrase we usually share as we enter each homestead, “Good morning, have you made it safely to Christmas?” Should there be any Christmas presents, they are usually opened before visiting the neighbours.
The rest of the day is spent preparing food, basking in laughter, and enjoying time with family and friends. In essence, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, nieces, and nephews, never need an invitation to visit.
We all love Christmas, it is about love, joy, giving, family, and thankfulness. And it is celebrated uniquely amongst the Namibian people, making it even more special.
Lastly, remember the true spirit of Christmas by giving back to the local communities. Engage in volunteer activities or support local initiatives that help those in need. Your kindness and generosity will spread joy and make your Christmas in Namibia even more magical. In Namibia, Christmas is about embracing the wonders of nature, creating cherished memories, and connecting with the people and the land.
So, pack your Santa hat and your adventurous spirit, and let Namibia infuse your Christmas with its enchanting magic!
*Dr Moses Amweelo is a former minister of Works, Transport and Communication. He earned a doctorate in Technical Science, Industrial Engineering and Management from the International Transport Academy (St Petersburg, Russia).