Christmas in Malawi has never felt like Christmas at all. Maybe it is the 100 degree heat or the lack Mariah Carey blaring on the radio; or maybe it is being far from the Heart of the Season- friends and family. Regardless of the reason, I have decided to not put too much weight on this time of year, because it could only end in nostalgia and disappointment. George and I have the week off from work as staff finally get a bit of respite from their long weeks spent doing field work and typing reports. For Malawians it is a time to do nothing- they sit around their house and chat, make nsima, or work in their maize gardens. Christmas in Malawi is not covered with tinsel and gifts because it has the unfortunate timing of happening at the height of the planting and hungry seasons.
Families in Malawi are not deciding which Amazon gift to order but rather whether they should slaughter a goat for one large Christmas meal or to save their money and eat two full meals a day for a few more weeks. There are no gifts pilling on Santa’s sleigh- one Malawian told us he does not tell his children about Santa because that would only lead to disappointment on Christmas morning. Having a ‘White Christmas’ is representative of the fact that Jesus was white and not the dream of glistening snow – in fact Christmas is a time to remember the Christian roots of the holiday not the consumerism which we have grown to know it for. So, people will go to church and pray for baby Jesus, for salvation, and for food. To have a good Christmas in Malawi is to have a full stomach and for the rains to start watering crops- these are the things Malawians wish for at Christmas (they don't even have a word for snow). There is a part of me which wishes that children in America would feel more blessed, that tantrums would not ensue because the latest game system is missing under the tree. Then, I switch my perspective and wish that the children of Malawi could know that worry – that the latest toys are missing from their homes is the biggest challenge they face - that they would not feel the absence of food or school books. I do not judge people in America for buying presents, I have been the recipient of many gifts and am equally guilty of gluttony from cookies and feasts. We cannot carry the ‘White Man’s Burden’ and send all of our wealth across the ocean nor will hunger be solved by skipping out on the traditions which we love so much at home. This whole internal debate makes me think of the aid song which says ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ Malawi does not need Santa or a Christmas tree (deforestation is another issue altogether) – they know it is Christmas because they have years of colonialism which has engrained it in their annual calendars. I believe that it is not a question of knowing about the holiday season; it is merely acknowledging that people exist here – and in Syria and Iraq and Haiti and Israel- that there are people outside of our little worlds. After all, that is what I believe the holidays should be about – the woman ringing a bell for the Salvation Army and the boxes sent abroad from Operation Christmas Child. It is about doing little things for other people when and where you can. We do not need to sacrifice any part of our lives; we merely need to include compassion in those lives. So, as you put away your Christmas decorations and make plans for the New Year... Don’t change living your life, just do what you can to help other live there’s along the way. My mother always use to say 'live and let live' and I believe in that more than ever. This year we are helping people through a water filter project and giving food to people during this year's hungry season. We thank all of our amazing friends and family for sharing Christmas through donations to the cause. I can't wait to start sharing your warmth with the village. If anyone else would like to give.. you have one week before we start the projects and close our giving accounts. Giving Site and/or Pay Pal (paypal is better as we don't lose a percent of the donation) And, if your finances are tight this year then we understand. Just remember to give something to someone else in 2017 - a compliment, a warm coffee, a hug... it has been a difficult year for the world... let's make 2017 the best year we can.
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Bonnie HarveyCurrently working in northern Malawi as Programs and Evaluations Coordinator for Temwa Archives
June 2019
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