Nonye Okonkwo recently moved to the United Kingdom to get a master's degree in Business Administration at Sheffield Hallam University, South Yorkshire. She narrates to AMAKA some fun memories in Africa that make the continent a wonderful place to live.

I never appreciated the cliché there's no place like home until I left Africa to study in the UK.  Now,  the fond memories of my life in Nigeria make me crave my home country. As a native of Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka local government of Anambra State in the southeast region of Nigeria, celebrating Christmas with my family was colourful, loud and exciting.  The social, traditional and historical customs back home have become part of my identity.  I never shy from making people know about my African roots and my Nigerian heritage wherever I go.

Growing up in Aba, Nigeria's commercial city

I grew up in Aba, the great Enyimba city, where the Harmattan breeze accompanies the yuletide. Celebrating Christmas back home gave me joy, knowing that my three siblings and I would be getting new clothes, shoes, colourful handbags, and purses. We each had at least three to four sets of clothes for the season.

My father deeply respected the Igbo tradition and ensured my family travelled to the village every Christmas and Easter celebration. Travelling to our village in Enugwu Ukwu for the December holiday was a big deal for us. It allowed us to meet our cousins, relatives, uncles, and aunts from far and near. Furthermore, the brief stay in the village was filled with several fun activities, including the never-ending errands, which enabled us to roam the town showing our beautiful new clothes and shoes.

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Upholding my roots as an adult

My father instilled in me the tradition of celebrating Christmas in our village. When I became an adult, I continued to follow the custom of joining my family on the trip to our village for the celebrations. The village life was communal; we ate together, lived in the same compound with my cousins and even played till midnight sometimes.

Loving the colourful masquerades

Masquerades are a part of the culture in Igbo land. They are believed to symbolise the spirits of ancestors in humans who are masked with different costumes for events, festivals, rites, and rituals. There's also a popular theory that the masquerades spring from the soil, making them higher than man, and regarded as such.  

Watching the masquerades in the village was one of the highlights of a village Christmas. We used to troop to the Nkwor market to see the masquerades display their dance steps. At times, they would scare us away. Occasionally, some masquerades visited our family home, and my dad gave them money to appreciate them.

Every masquerade holds distinct attributes that distinguishes it from others. One of the prominent masquerades in our village is called Aji Bussu. A hairy masquerade. Another revered masquerade is Igah. This is a tall masquerade known to whip spectators playfully. There are also small masquerades called Nwikpo. Unlike the big masquerades, these do not scare adults and can be chased around playfully. But when you see Aji Bussu and the Igah - even as an adult - take to your heels.

We also have Adanma. An effeminate masquerade; that dresses in flamboyant clothes with heavy make-up.  Adamma is mainly for entertainment at ceremonial events like the New Yam festivals and coronations. As a maiden masquerade, it's accompanied by people who play music. As the name suggests, Adamma means a fine girl, with Ada being the first daughter and mma representing beauty.

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The masquerade is usually elegantly dressed with a pale face that speaks of her ghostly element. It dances in quite a stylish manner and looks really beautiful. Another unique masquerade on display during the Christmas festivities is the Izaga. It's probably the tallest Igbo masquerade, appearing to grow shorter and taller at intervals. Izaga makes an appearance during traditional ceremonies or festivals for the sole aim of entertaining the observers.

I find these beautiful traditions amazing, even as an adult. That is why I resolved to travel from Lagos with my family yearly to Engwu Ukwu village to spend my Christmas. The fascinating thing about spending Christmas at home is that there is always a ceremony to attend. It's either a cousin is getting married, or an aunt is having a housewarming. The thought of not travelling this year to be with my family and loved ones gives me nostalgic feeling. 

A hope for fun-filled Christmas in the UK

Since I came to the UK, I have not attended any party, not even an Owambe (weddings and parties like the Yorubas would call it).  I miss communal living back in Nigeria. You could call up a friend out of nowhere and have fun.

But in the UK, as my people will say, you are on your own. I have seen decorations on the streets, but it lacks the sparks and merriment of a Christmas in Africa.  I wish I could have it differently, but then, a girl has to do what is right now and reap the rewards - hopefully soon.