Christmas is called the season of love and celebrated all around the World. However in Nigeria, there are certain traditions common to every family celebrating the season that is peculiar to Nigerians. Every Nigerian reading this article would surely nod in affirmation as we detail these popular Christmas traditions in Nigeria.

Buy Christmas Clothes & Accessories

As Christmas season draws nearer, it subconsciously gets into the minds of parents to get their children special attires for christmas – this is popularly called Christmas clothes in Nigeria. Markets often get crowded as prices of children’s clothes surge. Parents who fail to do this, no matter how small, are calling for trouble from their kids. Which parent wouldn’t want their kids to look differently during Christmas? Apart from clothes, accessories such as glasses, wristwatches, new shoes, etc are also brought to accompany the outfit of the kids.

Buy Chicken

Over the years, chicken has been the ‘meat’ symbol of Christmas in Nigeria. So during the season, virtually every home kills a chicken or buys frozen ones. It is during this season that the prices of chicken increase due to demand and poultry farmers smile to the bank. The Chicken is then cooked, fried or roasted as the family wants and eaten with Christmas Jollof rice.

Cook Christmas Rice

Nigerians are known to consume a lot, especially jollof rice. However, there is one unique thing about the Christmas season which everyone in the house looks forward to – mummy cooking Christmas Rice. Often, Christmas rice in most homes is usually jollof rice. Maybe it is the season, the truth is it tastes more delicious than the regular jollof rice – maybe party jollof rice slightly beats it. The rice can be garnished with chicken, goat meat and combined with other appetisers or desserts, depending on what the family can afford.

Share Food with neighbours

As the season of love, Christmas is a time people share with others. In a compound, you can be sure of receiving christmas gifts from neighbours – often this comes in the form of food and drinks. This gesture is usually good, especially for people who don’t have the finances to cook for themselves and their kids. One thing is sure, they will also celebrate Christmas in joy due to the food they have received.

Celebrate with Fireworks and Firecrackers

On the streets of cities and towns in Nigeria, kids, teenagers and adults are always seen with firecrackers and fireworks popularly called “bangers” or “knock-out” in celebrating the season. Kids are seen running around with less dangerous ones while adults blow into the atmosphere bigger fireworks. Some children, especially teenagers, often scare passers-by with the fire-crackers. The rush of adrenalin that comes with the bangers is what makes the tradition so exciting and memorable.