12 Blogs to New Year

To Children and Child Hood Memories

Often times, life is all about memories. We are who we are today because of a past that was. Whether bad or good, it makes a foundation/basis of a memory lane. Our childhood is filled with all these. I.e. good as well as bad memories. Some of trauma and bullying, others of a warm and joyful house. Most of these memories however are built up much better during the December holidays. What we have called long, holidays or festive holiday.

It’s no doubt that most of our childhood memories were made in the up country where there was warmth of many peers and children of our age groups. For us children, the festive holiday was a time off our books and all things school. There was no holiday homework as in the other holidays. No tuition whatsoever whether private/home or school tuition. And somehow, there was the excitement of going to the next class.

 

The festive holiday was a time to meet cousins, aunties, uncles and grandparents. It was a time to bond. Those from the city would go to the upcountry as parents were busier there. The parents would join in later. The bond was just amazing.

 

The December holidays meant more play and more fun. We would merge the games from the city with those in the country side. Of course the village games were more fun and practically so.

For us children the holiday was a time to experience and explore. Remember the ‘duf mpararo’(river side swimming pool). And treasure hunting in our forests around while fetching firewood? That was real fun.

 

It was a time to get gifts and presents. From our parents to aunts and uncles as well as our grannies, everyone just had something for us. From as small as a lolli pop to the bicycle you have wanted in a long time.

 

It was a time to eat. And I mean eating stuff we’ve not had in a long time. Chapatti and all that we thought was a luxury. Almost every household had a bale of wheat floor with most of our mothers entering to chamas that save up for this entirely.

 

A time to go out and have fun. Down in the villages, we used to go to the closest towns and it would be filled with people of all kinds and activities. We had our best clothes on, that were recently bought for the occasion and we would buy almost everything we have wanted in a long time. From our own little home bank savings to what our relatives and parents gave us then.

 

We could light a fire, do maize roasting and other fun activities in the evening with beautiful stories (real and fantasies alike) from our grannies. It was a time of pure bliss and laughter.

 

I wonder what your childhood memories are of the festive holiday. Share with us in the comment section below. We would be glad to hear them.