BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE
DEC 2014
BAJAN CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
C
hristmas is nearly every Bajan’s favourite time of
the year, most Bajan’s take part in the festivities.
Barbadians truly embrace the traditions and their
Christmas spirit comes alive. It is a time of true joy and
giving, beautiful Christmas lights, and lots of food and
over-all festiveness.
The Christmas tradition starts after Independence so
weeks before the season begins you can find Barbadians
busy with their ‘Christmas cleaning’. They paint, clean
and refurbish their homes, put up new curtains and
cushion covers, sometimes even buy new furniture, all in
the spirit of Christmas. Decorations, lights and of course
the Christmas tree are then added to nearly every
household across the island. It’s not Christmas in
Barbados without the bright flashing lights and beautiful
colours.
From the 1st December, Christmas music can be heard on
all the radio stations but in some stores you can hear
Christmas music from early November. This, though, is
seldom. The late start to the Christmas music is because
Barbados’ Independence is November 30th and the month
of November is dedicated to Independence celebrations.
The first thing that gets us in the mood is the arrival of the
Christmas Trees. There is just nothing like the smell of a
“real” Christmas tree after all! Homes come alive with
decorations and lights inside and out and roundabouts are
festively decorated.
One event that is eagerly anticipated at Christmas time is
Carols by Candle Light. This event is hosted every
December at Ilaro Court, the residence of the Prime
Minister of Barbados. It is a special afternoon attended by
thousands of Barbadian young an d old. Christmas carols
are sung by some of Barbados most talented musicians
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and candles are lit as the sun sets, making for a
spectacular scene. Everyone is relaxed as they lay out on
their picnic blankets and a true feeling of Christmas is
captured.
Christmas morning finds most Bajans in church decked
down in their finest. Some go to midnight mass on
Christmas eve night while others head to the early
morning service. This is usually the most packed day of
the year, many even joke and say that Christmas day is
the one day of the year they are sure to be in church.
Afterwards, hundreds of Barbadians head to Queen’s Park
for a showcase of sorts. Dapper gents and lovely ladies
stroll through the park showing off their splendid outfits.
This is a time to meet up with old friends and enjoy the
sights.
The tradition continues with family meals, the entire
family gathers for Christmas lunch, or more accurately
feast. Tables are heavy laiden with rice and peas,
macaroni, candied sweet potatoes, chicken, ham, baked
pork, turkey, pies and sorrel… And Christmas isn’t
a Bajan Christmas without Jug-Jug and Black Cake. It is
truly a ‘belly-bursting affair and left-overs mean that
some don’t have to cook for the following week, and in
some cases weeks.
Bajans young and old look forward to Christmas and over
the years have main-tained their fam-ily traditions. This
fun and festive time is always a wonderful peak to each
year.
Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas, is also a
very popular day amongst Barbadians. There are several
parties held and all the leftovers are warmed up and
served again! You will also find horse racing that day at
The Garrison Savannah Racing Track.
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