Christmas Day in Budalang'i

I spent Christmas Day here in my village of Budalang'i, primarily with the Mango's, my host family. It was a fairly low-key event, but it was enjoyable as they are very good people. We basically spent the day chatting and eating at the house, before heading into town a bit later in the afternoon.

Most families slaughter a goat to mark the holiday. Brothers of John, my host father, carve up the goat as my host mother Angelina and host niece Okampo look on.

Myself, host sisters Mevans and Mercy, 'mama' Angelina, 'baba' John, and brother Peter. Mevan's young daughter Okampo is striking a pose down in front. Angelina and John have another son and daughter, but were away for the holidays.

Around 4PM, all of the kids in the surrounding villages swarm into town, dressed to the 'T' like adults in their fanciest attire, purchased by their parents just for Christmas. Boys are often dressed in sharp black suits, girls in dresses or even suit jackets carrying purses. The town was largely absent of adults. All of the 'kinyozi' (barber shops) were transformed into photo studios where the kids flocked to get their pictures taken with friends. The whole afternoon had an odd feel. It felt like Planet of the Apes, where a group of men come upon a new planet where apes take on the role of humans, and humans are kept in cages like apes. Just rewrite the script from apes to children. It was rather terrifying.