CHRISTMAS
Recollections of Christmas Most of our memories of Christmas as kids are similar – Christmas trees, presents, family gatherings and maybe even cricket in the backyard. Mine were no different, only the location. I was born in Bangladesh as my parents were Australian missionaries stationed there from 1943. Bangladesh is predominately a Muslim country with around 0.3% Christians but Christmas was still celebrated by Christians in the traditional way by going to church. December 25 is not referred to as Christmas Day but rather ‘Bara Din’ meaning the big day in Bengali. People greeted each other with “Shubho Bara Din” – Happy Big Day.
Preeri bhoj – meaning love feast – including curries, rice, snacks and sweets. I would eat until I couldn’t fit any more in. To this day my favourite meal is a good curry and rice with Indian sweets to follow. When it was time to go home we played an international test cricket match in the rather expansive backyard with the missionary kids vs the local Bangladeshi kids. Great fun and lots of good memories! Greg Ison
Bangladesh is a hot country but you could still find fake snow and very colourful Christmas decorations in most towns. Villagers decorated with cut banana trees planted to form arched walkways and decorations made from colourful paper. My favourite part of Christmas – besides the presents of course – was going to church where men traditionally sat on one side and women on the other. They would perform the Kirtan, a song within the Bengali Christian culture where a singer leads the singing and everyone follows. The song begins at a slow pace and gradually gets faster and faster and those following form a circle around the lead singer and walk and dance around him. I remember joining in and feeling very happy and euphoric as we danced and sang. Following the Kirtan there was a feast called 16
Christmas crackers Even the local wildlife are checking out what's happening in the local area! This curious cockatoo was spotted reading Eumundi Voice high up in a tree. The first issue of Eumundi Voice for 2024 hits the streets on Thursday 25 January so there is plenty of time for you to send in your local stories and photos. All issues of Eumundi Voice can be found online at: issuu.com/ eumundivoice or at: eumundivoice.com.au.
