I recently went to my home village of Nalchapra in Netrakona district to know about the preparations for the upcoming Christmas festival.
We, Christians, celebrate Christmas on December 25 as the birthday of our savior Jesus Christ. It is believed he was born in Bethlehem (now in Palestine) in mid-winter. The day, known as ‘Borodin’ in Bangla, is a national holiday in Bangladesh.
Christmas is observed every year in our village amid great festivities. During the month of December, the whole village gets into a festive mood as all the villagers prepare for Christmas.
Christmas Eve on December 24 is the most interesting night because all the villagers come together to perform kirtan (carols). Kirtan singing starts after the mass (prayer) at midnight. Kirtan competitions are organised and the winners are given different prizes. It is an exciting event where all villagers join in.
No one can express their feelings without witnessing it. The singers gather together and move from one para (hamlet) to another. They sing rhythmically, chanting and clapping. The little children who are asleep wake up to the sound of kirtan and families present pithas (rice cakes or pies) to the performers. The singing continues until dawn.
In the morning, we all get ready to go to church for a special prayer and finally at noon, a festive lunch is offered to everyone with traditional dishes for Christmas.
After lunch, a meeting is arranged to decide who will organise next year’s Christmas celebration. The selection process is very interesting as it is done through a lottery system. The names of all senior members of a household are written on folded pieces of paper. Once the names are drawn, no one can refuse to arrange next year’s festivities!
The lottery process is not followed if any household says they are willing to arrange the next celebration of Christmas. Then they are declared the hosts, with the consent of every member present at the meeting. Most Garo Christians follow the same rule in observing Christmas, but there may be exceptions, too.
The writer is a teacher at an English-medium school.
Photos: File.