It is not a wonder, that we all have different cultural backgrounds but it makes us to see the diversity of other people´s cultures and their beautiful heritages.
The New Year Tradition in Nigeria is quite different from the New Year Tradition in Germany. Nevertheless, this may applied to the Christians and Non-Christians in Nigeria. The New Year celebration is the only festival that is been celebrated by all the ethnic group in Nigeria because Nigeria is a multicultural society. It is celebrated by the traditions of both religions. New Year´s Day, which is celebrated in Nigeria on January 1st, is one of the most important festival that is celebrated in all the 36 States of Nigeria.
The most important Tradition is the New Year Eve, which is on December 31st- on this particular day, all the Christians family will gather in the church from 10:pm to offer their praise and thanksgiving to God and the muslims family gather in mosques, while the Idos worshipers offer prayer to their gods. All the people offer their prayers at the stroke of 12 midnight. Prayers of good health, good luck, and prosperity in the coming year.
The New Year, is also believed as a time when the Almight God will answer prayers, so the people offer prayers of; growth, good health, prosperity, peace, joy and happiness. This prayer is not only offer in the chuches or mosques but the people pray anywhere they are, at home, even on the streets and they pray very loud. I'm sure if I try to pray so loud on the street in Germany I will be arrested by the police for disturbing other people. (SMILE). At 12 midnight after the prayers people will start to shouting HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR...! With loud voices. After which the people will return to their various homes to continue the celebration.
Some Nigerians do not leave their home on the first day of the year, which is 1st of January because they believe it is dangerous to go out on this day, because of some evil forces..., so the people stay at home and eat nice meal with their family.
Another New Year Tradition, some Christians bring all their salaries for the month of January to the church, as their first fruit offering to God.
In some parts of Nigeria, the Non-Christians also celebrate the New Year festival with Masquerade party. The Masquerade comes out in different costumes and masks. It is believed that the Masquerade are spiritual beings on earth, who has the power to remove evils from the face of the earth. So during the New Year, they come out in animal or scaring costumes, they perform some ritual dance on the streets, it is believed that the Masquerade dance will bring peace, prosperity and good luck into the lives of the people. One of such Masquerade Party on the New Year's Day is the ''Offrima.''
Some Nigerians also, practice what is called ''New Year, New System-'' Meaning they have to give all their old things away and put on a new personality. They wear new cloths, new shoes, and have a new hair cut. This is means old things are gone with the last year and everything shall become new in the coming year.
Finally, the youths also, celebrate the New Year by partying in the night clubs, restaurants, street carnivals, beach parties and resorts centres.
New Year celebration is a big event in Nigeria. Every corner of major town and cities sing aloud popular music like; Fuji, Hip hop, Reggae, Juju and so on. The people dance with the happiness that they have seen the New Year and with hope of better life in the coming year. If you ever find yourself in Africa (Nigeria) during the festive season, do not miss the New Year celebration. It is really fun!
Happy New Year to all of YOU my readers and PEACE to the world!
