By the first day of December, the festive season officially announces itself. The government begins decorating major roads with colourful lights, quietly setting the tone for the season. Soon after, private organisations follow suit, decorating their shops and business spaces. Slowly, the state transitions into a soft glow of celebration.
As the days draw nearer to Christmas, salons become one of the busiest places. Women troop in to fix their hair, nails, lashes, and everything in between. This period is always intriguing because women could literally argue, or even fight for their turn. It’s chaotic, yet oddly entertaining.
This festive season, those who visited my state for the holidays were clearly people in search of peace and calmness. Unlike louder, more crowded destinations like Lagos and Port Harcourt, my state offers a gentle kind of celebration that allows you to enjoy the season without being overwhelmed.
Personally, this festive season felt a bit different. Despite everything I saw on my friends’ statuses, I couldn’t bring myself to step out much. I stayed indoors almost the entire time, except for two days when I decided to take a walk to the nearest fun park newly decorated for the season. Interestingly, this place was originally used for trading, so I was genuinely awed by the massive transformation. It wasn’t crowded at the time, it only really comes alive in the evenings and at night.
On the other day, one of those very lazy days I visited the Christmas Village. Nothing particularly fascinating was on display then, but I still took pictures of the few things that caught my attention. I ate barbecue and quietly returned home.
One thing that stands out about the festive season here is how it naturally connects people. Many step out solely for the purpose of networking, and trust me, they meet a lot of people. Families also use this time to reconnect and bond with extended relatives. I remember a few years ago when my family organised a picnic at this Christmas Village. It was especially fun meeting relatives I didn’t even know existed.
Another beautiful aspect of the festivities is the cultural display. Different days are assigned to various regions within the state to showcase their culture. On these days, you realise that every region has its own unique masquerades, food, and dressing. However, from my experience last year, there was one thing almost every region had in common, palm wine.
Palm wine is a natural wine tapped directly from the palm tree. It is unrefined, with a distinct flavour and taste. While it may look harmless, it can be quite intoxicating if taken in large quantities or mixed with alcohol. Alongside it are palm fruits and many other natural blessings the state is known for.
These cultural displays are fun for spectators and educational at the same time. People come out to watch, but they also leave having learned something new.
One outstanding thing about my state is that you don’t have to pay to experience all of these festive activities.Tge joy, culture, and connection are freely given and that is what makes the festive season here even more special, budget friendly and comfortable.
The summary of this post would be that the festive season in my state is not loud or overwhelming; it is peaceful, cultural, and very human. It thrives in shared spaces, quiet moments, familiar faces, and simple joys.Whether one chooses to step out and participate fully or observe from a distance, the season still finds a way to get to everyone. And sincerely I believe that is the true beauty of celebrating here, it reminds you that joy and happiness doesn't always have to be loud to be meaningful.
Happy new year💥🎈🎊
All the photos used here were taken by me.
