In December, people unintentionally tumble into relaxation mode as Christmas steadily approaches. It’s a season known to young adults/youth as Ke-Dezember (a time to celebrate) as schools and universities are on holiday, similarly a few companies close during this period too – now there’s more time to celebrate with family and friends! Here are a few signs that I have noticed it’s that time of the year:
There are more weddings than any other period of the year.
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Father Christmas’s brothers are nowhere to be found, as the unshaved beard period for the Movember movement has ended.
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Special street lights are connected and switched on for Christmas.
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Christmas decorations have been up in shopping malls since October, with Christmas carols wafting as you shop.
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Shopping malls have more clients than ever, with a few shelves left empty by eager shoppers to ensure they have enough food and drinks for Christmas. It’s definitely best to do your shopping early!
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Food shops allow limitless tasters (sometimes with no supervision), they trust clients will definitely purchase their products.
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Everyone wants to spoil their loved ones (no budget required, for some) and worry about January-Janu-worry later. Yes, you will hear quite a few January jokes over Christmas and it’s the only appropriate time for them.
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Windhoek has fewer people between the 10 and 28 December. I am sure a few taxi drivers are on holiday too, leaving other drivers appreciative of less traffic. Enjoy it while it lasts!
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Some taxis even place masking tape in a cross ‘X’ form over the taxi numbers to use the vehicle personally in towns or travel to the north.
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People populate different bus stops to make their way to home towns or villages throughout the country.
Bus drivers seem much more relaxed because they have more clients. It’s their time to shine.
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You will see a shilumbu (white person) journey into a riverbed in search for Karoo Acacia branches.
Swakopmund, Henties Bay and Walvis Bay are the ‘go to’ holiday towns during Christmas, because the ocean breeze on a hot day is a necessity.
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Your neighbours play their music on full blast more often and you are ok with it. It’s Ke-Dezember!
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There’s that one theme song, and you will hear it everywhere like Omunye. So don’t be surprised when you start liking the song too.
On Christmas day, it’s ok to visit one of the neighbours if you don’t feel like cooking, it’s the season to be giving after all. But remember to take along the gifts.
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Aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, nieces and nephews, do not need an invitation to visit and it’s perfectly fine.
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A Christmas tree (big or small) is never forgotten and it can take many different forms like the Omwandi (Jackalberry) tree branches used by Aawambo people, it adds a Namibian flair too.
We all love Christmas, It’s about love, joy, giving, family and thankfulness. And it is celebrated uniquely amongst the Namibian people, making it even more special.
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Enjoy the festive celebrations, wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!
How do you tell it’s almost Christmas? Let us know by sharing your story in the comment section below.
Author – I’m Nela, from Windhoek Namibia but born in a small village called Omatunda in northern Namibia. I am passionate about writing, research and photography, as it helps me gain knowledge about people and my country.
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