Eumundi Voice - Issue 84, 21 December 2023

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.

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 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!