I had never imagined Christmas festivals away from my mother’s matrimony! The absence of familiar sights, football tournaments everywhere, and more importantly the sound of family laughter have left me with an unexpected void. But guess what? Here I am, with the great people of Imenti, a subtribe of the Meru ethnic group in Kenya. Christmas celebrations here are nothing to what I am used to. With a blend of traditional customs and family ties, the holiday season here brings families together for communal gatherings, where they honor both their heritage and kinships. Preparations begin with the cleaning of homesteads with the intent of, “people from Nairobi are coming “They ought to find our homes clean. Unlike in my place where there’s massive slaughtering of chicken, here they slaughter goats, an essential part of the celebrations, symbolizing prosperity and thanksgiving. The meat is shared among relatives, neighbors, and visitors, fostering unity. The traditional brew known as “Mugasha” is very vital. You’ll find that out of ten homesteads, eight of these always prepare this local brew. I’ve been able to immerse myself in the traditions of the Imenti people and you won’t believe me when I tell you I’ve enjoyed it. It has crafted a sense of belonging with this community. Nevertheless, spending Christmas away from home is bittersweet. The sadness of not being where you’re used to is real, but so too has come the beauty of discovering the world beyond my familiar surroundings. It’s a reminder that while home is important, the spirit of Christmas love, connection, and joy can be felt no matter the place.