WE will be approaching Christmas in just a week’s time. Most Guyanese are aware of the religious aspects of the festival and ofcourse, its celebratory joyousness, but Christmas has other dimensions.

Christmas celebrates the birth of the Lord Jesus, but he was not actually born on 25th December. In the pre-Christian religions of Europe, the Winter Solstice occurred on 24th December. On this day, the earth is farthest away from the Sun in its yearly revolution around that planet; that is, it is at 23/2 degrees latitude. That day is accordingly the darkest day of the year.

From the 25th December, the days begin to become longer as the earth continues in its revolution. Since the Winter Solstice was already a pagan festival and since the Roman festival of Lupercalia mostly fell on that day, the early church decided to celebrate the birth of the Lord on 25th December so that the pagans could easier transition to Christianity. In Guyana, older people would speak of the “Christmas weather” which they regarded as beginning in December. The nights become noticeably cooler, while the days are also cooler with the sunlight being of a lighter gold than in August when the earth is nearer to the sun. The December clouds seem to be lower and softer and the skies appear to be of a lighter blue and the sunsets, though beautiful, are more pastel. The green of the vegetation is brighter and flowers such as the poinsettias or the lanciana orchids bloom at this time. The climate in Guyana becomes very pleasant and resembles the best days of spring in the Temperate Zone. Guyanese associate the pleasant weather with Christmas and it is regarded as part of the Christmas Season.

Guyana, like Europe and other regions of the world, has its historical traditions surrounding Christmas. Christmas is the oldest Guyanese festival. It was celebrated when Europeans settled here in the 17th century and when they brought slaves from Africa to work on their plantations. Christmas was the only holiday allowed the slaves and they were permitted to play their African drums and dance and sing and visit their friends and relatives.

In the early 19th century when most of the slaves had been Christianised, the religious element was introduced into the celebrations and church attendance became an essential part of Christmas. After Emancipation, indentured servants were brought from many parts of the world to work on the plantations.

Portuguese Catholics were brought from Madeira, freedmen were recruited from the West Indian islands, Chinese from southern China and Hindus and Muslims from India were also indentured. Each of these groups made their contributions in enriching the Guyanese Christmas. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Guyanese Christmas had evolved, absorbing the many cultural and religious influences which came first, with the Europeans and Africans, and then later with the 19th century immigrants. The Guyanese Christmas became a festival which synthesized the religious and secular and one which Hindus, Muslims, Christians and people of every faith and cultural background could celebrate with full involvement as they do today.

Christmas has always been a time of celebration and joyousness and as pointed out above, it was the one day of festivity allowed to the slaves. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Christmas took its present form where its celebratory aspects completely enveloped and suffused Guyanese society: Homes as well as the commercial houses were colourfully decorated, mainly with the Christmas colours of red, green, blue and gold and to awaken the fantasy of Christmas, there was snow and “Father Christmas” with his sleigh and reindeer. Fairy lights in different shapes were everywhere, even on the neighbouring vegetation and trees. All shops were fully stocked with various types of Christmas goods. The groceries had Dutch cheeses, temperate zone fruits such as cherries, peaches, pears, plums, figs and apples and grapes and dates from the Arab world.

The haberdashers had cloths and curtains of every description, gift items to suit every taste and requirement and ingenious toys and children’s games. People came out in thousands to pick up bargains and to enjoy the joyous milieu. They also brought their small children who could meet “Father Christmas” in person and who were transported into wonderland.

Ordinary folk made their own contributions to the festival, especially in the aspect of food. They produced various wines such as jamoon and rice and ginger beer and sorrel and mauby and special cakes like the famous black cake. They made cook-up rice, pepperpot, garlic pork for those who ate pork, and other delicacies. Relatives and friends visited and always had to have a meal. The spirit of goodwill towards all men reverberated everywhere. Accordingly, the poor were always remembered and given meals and other gifts.

Bringing homes into the Christmas mode was a de rigeur requirement in the week before Christmas; and this old custom was practised from the smallest hut to the richest mansions. All rubbish and unwanted things were disposed of and houses were thoroughly cleaned. Walls were repainted and furniture was renewed or cleaned and varnished or polished. This renewal was a catharsis and prepared people to enter the new year with strength and optimism.

Over the years, some Christmases have been more memorable than others with new customs being born and old ones fading away; but the essence of the festival has been the same: The pervasive and energetic joy, the celebratory splurge, the goodwill it generates in the society, the remembrance of the poor and differently abled and its cathartic quality of preparing society and individuals to enter the new year with optimism. Christmas 2018 has the same perennial spirit residing in it. For this year we wish you an even merrier Christmas!