What do Kenyans think of Christmas

These stories were featured on the Spiegel and I thought I’d share with you guys some of the views that were shared.

Njoroge Waiganjo – 26yrs old, from Nyeri, studied Philosophy, works as a French teacher will start masters in French early next year

Christmas means nothing to me and that means nobody expects presents from me either. I used to be a Christian but after the violence and the brutality of PEV in 2008, I lost my faith. There is no god and since I figured that out, I feel much better. I travel home only because of the holidays but I don’t celebrate the occasion, what for? Christmas is like a graduation event, all rosy with no real meaning.

 

Gabriel Chol – 3rd year Engineering student at the University of Nairobi

For us in South Sudan, the family being together on Christmas Day is more important than the presents. I travel back home on the 22nd on the cheap bus and it takes about 2 days then with the extra money I get to buy a few extra things to take home with me.

On 25th, we go to church then have lunch at home with friends and relatives who come to visit. Considering my 6 younger sisters wouldn’t agree to go to church in their old clothes, I always get them new outfits from Garissa in Eastleigh, that’s the Somali neighbourhood, and they sell stuff at very reasonable prices. A shirt like the one I have on goes for Sh.250 around €2. You could say these are my gifts to them.

 

Nancy Awuora – 24yr old, Anthropology student at the University of Nairobi

When I travel home, in Nyanza, I invite friends over for lunch and that is my Christmas gift to them. It doesn’t make sense to give someone a watch or a bunch of flowers. Neither my friends nor I consider such things valuable but spending time with those that mean a lot to me is what matters to me.

 

Juliet Amondi – 25yr old, Business and Sociology student at the University of Nairobi

I find it sensible to share with those less fortunate during Christmas. Like my neighbour for example who is a single mother is struggling right now, I know this because we sing in the same choir. A typical meal during Christmas is chapati, so I bought my neighbour a 2kg pack of chapati flour and wished her a Merry Christmas. This might sound little but giving food to those with very little is my favourite Christmas gift.

What does Christmas mean to you? Do you celebrate it?

I use the time to spend time with family, reflect on the year that’s about to end, plan for the new year, catch up on some much needed sleep, get stuff done that I haven’t gotten around to finish/do due to my busy schedule and just relax.

Original story: Spiegel Online