Luanda - Today is Christmas Eve, a Christian tradition that symbolises the birth of Jesus Christ. This festivity takes place all over the world, adapted to the reality of each person and their culture.
Taking into account that after the two previous years Christmas get-together celebrations did not happen due to the covid-19 restrictions, with the suspension of measures, families are called to share Christmas spirit in harmony as the tradition demands.
In this season, the culture of love, fraternity, forgiveness and sharing are very characteristic of Angolan families.
The tradition of giving or receiving gifts at Christmas is linked to the memory of the gifts that the three Wise Men offered the baby Jesus (gold, frankincense and myrrh), this very common sharing is known as “Amigo Oculto” (Hidden Friend).
Therefore, it is possible to find out that not only within families, as all the society is mobilized to offer different moments to the most disadvantaged people, by holding parties and the act of donating toys to children.
To the 47 year-old Ana Bela, the culture of celebrating Christmas together with the family comes from her parents, since after the midnight mass on Christmas Eve, everyone gathers around the same table to share the same meal.
Ana Bela also warns that people are losing the Christmas spirit due to the economic situation of families, but by the loss of some of the symbolism of the date.
“Before this moment, we’d would have the streets mostly coloured, with lamps and the usual ornaments made from plastic bags and paper, we had the streets painted in whitewash, but not today”, she said.
According to Ana Bela, in one way or another, the spirit of Christmas is being lost, the time to know how to give and receive with love.
Álvaro João, 40, told Angop that the current generation has lost the Christmas spirit, because despite the difficulties, the date sought to keep alive the culture of forgiveness and sharing, a fact that has been gradually lost.
He also stressed that despite people's awareness of the superfluous expenses at Christmas time, society loses out in terms of sharing.
“There is a big difference in Christmas celebrations, we used to live in a difficult situation, but we knew how to celebrate the date, each person at their own level did something for the community where they lived, today we don´t see that concern from the neighbourhood”, he said.
Contrary to previous years, the province of Luanda is more subdued and less adorned, both in urban and peri-urban areas, with the exception of a few squares in the city centre.
The rushes to shopping centres and parallel markets are happening, but in a different proportion to the years before the Covid-19 pandemic.
To the Secretary-General Council of Christian Churches of Angola (CICA), reverend Deolinda Dorca Teca, Christmas is a christian party in which Jesus Christ birth is celebrated and is also the date used for the celebration of the family feast.
According to the reverend, it is approximately three years, from 2019 to 2021, that the world celebrated this day with many restrictions because of Covid-19, but now, in 2022 the celebrations will be with a certain freedom, but it should not be exaggerated, since the pandemic is not over yet.
The Reverend warns that despite covid-19 is not acting forcefully, it is important for people to take some precautions, such as using alcohol gel, washing their hands and, if possible, wearing a mask.
Deolinda Dorca Teca said as well that the celebration of Christmas comes at a time of financial and material crisis and due to that families should celebrate Christmas with great care, without exaggeration, such as excessive use of alcoholic beverages.
“It is important that we celebrate Christmas without violence, hatred or rancour. Christmas, as a family feast, should be a moment to look at the love of God, the forgiveness granted by God and the moment of reconciliation between people”, she said.
The reverend also called attention to the pacification of souls and family reconciliation, and on this date the most important thing is to practice solidarity with those who suffer.
According to the sociologist Cristina Gamboa, it should be a moment of reflection on the 361 days that had been lived and the perspectives for the next year.
During these festive days, the expert advises citizens to have an attitude of spending restraint, since there is a significant rise in basic products and to get around the lack of products, she suggested citizens to use national products as an alternative, with a view to making Christmas dinner possible at family level.
“It is possible to celebrate Christmas dinner without having to resort to imported products and surely we can use creativity to give a taste to the Christmas Eve party”, he stressed.
Regarding inappropriate behaviour at this time of year, the sociologist revealed that she is concerned about the excessive use of alcoholic drinks, a fact that leads to phenomena such as sexual abuse, physical violence and even death.
Thus, she appeals to everyone in these days of Christmas and New Year´s Eve to promote love for others, unity, companionship, humility and reflection on the goals to be achieved in 2023.
All over the country, several children in vulnerable situations had the traditional “Solidary Christmas”, in a response to the constant call for solidarity sharing.
