Ho ho ho! The bells and the music and the rush. You know what time it is. Christmas time, you all. Whether you celebrate Christmas in the city or in the country (emaphandleni) by now I suppose you are ready. As for me I am a city boy no doubt and no apologies. I do have a little rural background up to the third grade. This balances me up really good because at 10 to 12 yrs in the rural areas one is a man. Literally at that age one can do any daily responsibilities. So by the time I came to the city I had already had my training.I must admit the adjustment was hard. Language and other facilities. Town people use a little bit of English every other word. "Ngangiyibhare" I was a jake.
In the country we say "esitolo" while in the city they say "emagrocer". Even the greeting is different, the country people say "Sakubona" while the town folks say "u sharp? Coming form the rural one is considered infirior or substandard . One's accent is rough while the city people's accent is refined. Its like one throat needs few glasses of water before talking and some training.The city has a lot of slang. Everything has a nickname. For example bread and money have many names. "Inyuku" money "uqgu" for isinkwa. For home in rural ares they say "ekhaya" while e toni sithi endlini in our house or "edeni. Nxa sisithi buyisa lapha etoni sithi faka lapha kumbe ngifakela." Some really use proper Ndebele words just as a mockery, like ivinkili for store .I wish my topic was "Coming to the City" I hope to talk about this topic some time.
Christmas time is family time. For most African people in cities, this season time is the only time to visit family back country side. "Emadeni kumbe emadladleni" Most people who do not associate themselves with the rural during the year, will eventually be seen at renkini or other bus terminus heading home. For some reason most people love to celebrate Christmas in the comfort of their mother's huts.That is why there is always too much traffic during the festive season. The dust rural roads gets busy for once. Chicken is the main thing for Christmas. Bread too. Dozens of loves are loaded on top of the buses in sacks with the rest of the goods. "Isinkwa asingcoli"
Christmas is also about food, drinks, new clothes and pretty much just funny. That is the only day when every home or house has a party going on. During the old days we would play new releases from musicians like Lovemore Majayivana, Frddie Gwala, Platform one, Chicco, Peter Tenet, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and the late Brenda Fassie. Coming to really life here in the diaspora, Christmas is different. For most American the day is about the tree and the gifts more than the party and the food. For us the day is sharing with family and friends. A home most people will go to church and get some blessing before going home to party. (eat and drink)
Christmas is commercialised be it at home or abroad. Not much to do with Jesus coming down to earth even though religious music is played everywhere. I miss the old good Christmas even though I am learning the American ways.To post your comment click on the word comment. Share your Christmas with us.Remember the reason for the season.
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