December is a month full of festivals with Christmas being the most awaited.
Kalenjins celebrates the birth of Jesus (Jeso) in different special ways. Most people now have forgotten what exactly Christmas meant.
From my Christian Religious Education (CRE) class, Christmas is the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth normally held on 25th December.
Here are unique ways Kalenjins celebrates Christmas;
Calling friends for a cool drink
"Our friends are important. We must take some 'Busaa' and eat well on Christmas," Kalenjin elder Alex Kiptanui Korir says.
Kalenjin men normally invite their friends for a cool drink. They will first take enough meal and remind themselves about their past experiences. Thereafter, a drink is brought and they mutually enjoy. The drink in question is usually prepared by maize and wheat/sorghum, called 'busaa'. They take this chance to reconcile and plan for the new year.
Supporting the poor
Known poor families in Kalenjin community are invited by their neighbours therefore ceremoniously enjoying the day together. Since this a special day to them, they tend to maximize it to their level best.
"We may forget the poor on normal days but this is a special day," notes Pracious Jebet Tanui, a Kalenjin lady.
Meet in church
Religious individuals in Kalenjin community normally converge in place of worship. They thank God for taking care of them, giving them a good harvest and more so celebrates for the birth of Jesus Christ.
They appreciate God (Asis) for giving them a son who will take away their sins.
"Asis gave us his son, we must converge on Christmas and celebrate him," Hillary Kipkoech Kirarei, Kalenjin church leader said.
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