As a Nigerian, I've always found it intriguing how eating rice has become such an ingrained part of our Christmas tradition. It seems like every family across the country feels compelled to prepare rice as the centerpiece of holiday meals. When did jollof rice become so intertwined with celebrating Christmas Day?
Over time, preparing and feasting on rice dishes has become engrained as a social norm during the Christmas festive period across Nigeria. The act of cooking rice in the days leading up to Christmas and serving heaping portions on the holiday itself is now an expected tradition in many households and communities. Rice has become so intertwined with celebrating Christmas that forgoing it would feel strange and incomplete. The seasonal preparation and consumption of rice has evolved into a taken-for-granted standard practice, making rice feel almost obligatory on Nigerian Christmas menus rather than just one option out of many
I wonder why we haven't diversified more to make other Nigerian staples like beans, yam, stew or Egusi soup just as festive. We have so many delicious native dishes that could carry the same spirit of community, generosity and celebration we aim for on Christmas.
Perhaps the tradition of rice was popularized in the early days by Christians emulating foreign customs of ham dinners. Maybe rice was chosen by early commercializers to be pushed in holiday advertising. Or it could just be the dish that happened to catch on through rural-urban networks.
Whatever the exact origin, there's no denying jollof rice now holds a treasured spot on Nigerian Christmas menus, tying together flavors of childhood memory. Yet there's certainly room for more inclusion of our other delectable dishes too. Each family could make Christmas their own by elevating traditional recipes meaningful in their lineage.
While rice has undeniably become the entrenched Christmas meal, we Nigerians could also embrace starting new food traditions this season. We have a diverse cuisine that deserves highlighting. Families could cook up slowing-simmered stews, peppery soups, savory pies or roasted meats instead of defaulting to jollof rice year after year. Getting creative with our own regional or hometown specialties could make the holiday uniquely our own. We can honor beloved family recipes that tell stories of our heritage. By intentionally cooking the under-appreciated dishes we grew up enjoying in our youth but rarely showcase, we spark nostalgia and gratitude. The Christmas spirit shines through diverse flavors that remind us of who we are. While rice will likely persist on holiday tables, we can also create food memories bonding generations when we branch out and share the breadth of Nigerian cuisine with pride.
In the end, it’s not the exact ingredients that make Christmas special, but the laughter, stories and communal bonds flowing around the sharing of meals. The spirit of the holiday shines through whenever we come together.
Thanks for reading
See you in my next post ❤️❤️
