Returning Home: The Igbo Christmas Tradition of Returning to the Village
We are all tied to an identity, whether by nature, culture, or personal decisions. A man is a man because nature decided, and a filthy person is one because they decided that cleanliness is too much work. Similarly, the Igbo tribe of Nigeria is identified by their tradition of traveling to their villages to celebrate Christmas.
As 2024 draws to a close, the Igbo people of Nigeria are once again making plans to return to their villages for the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities. This is not surprising, as traveling home has become a defining identity for this tribe—an open secret known by Nigerians across the country.
The Igbo way of celebrating Christmas is a trip to the village! For this tribe, every Christmas season is a duty call to return home. During this time, all roads lead to the southeastern part of Nigeria! This festive journey has become a well-established tradition. For instance, Lagos residents have attested to how the usually congested roads, notorious for their intense gridlocks, become noticeably freer during Christmas. This is because thousands of Igbo people, who make up a significant portion of the city’s population, have returned to their villages for the holiday.
Another indication is the plethora of road transportation businesses catering to the need to convey Igbo people to the southeast. These businesses are mostly owned by Igbo entrepreneurs who have identified this significant demand and turned the return-to-the-village culture into a lucrative opportunity. In Nigeria, numerous fleets of vehicles serve the purpose of transporting people and goods to the east, with Christmas being their busiest season.
As the population of Igbo residents in Lagos and other commercial hubs like Abuja and Port Harcourt continues to grow, transportation companies have multiplied tenfold. Gone are the days when only a few companies—such as Peace Mass Transit, God is Good Motors, and The Young Shall Grow—dominated the sector. Today, the list of operators is virtually endless.
Another cue highlighting that Christmas in the villages is typical to the Igbo people is the release of Igbo highlife songs by Flavour, a famous Nigerian artist whose birth name is Chinedu Okoli. An observant listener familiar with Nigerian mainstream music would notice that Flavour’s songs consistently cater to the merriment of the Igbo people during Christmas. For Flavour, Christmas has become a key period for releasing music that inspires Igbo people to reunite in their villages from all parts of the world, creating an atmosphere of celebration. His music perfectly captures and amplifies this festive mood.
An unspoken tradition of the season is the surge of social media comics cautioning Igbo ladies about forming attachments with potential Igbo bachelors flying in from abroad to celebrate Christmas in the village. More often than not, such encounters rarely lead to a happily-ever-after. On the flip side, there is also encouragement for city-dwelling ladies to partake in the return-to-the-village tradition, giving themselves a chance to meet eligible Igbo men who arrive in droves for the festive period."
These scenes showcase that travelling to the village for Christmas celebration is a tradition for the Igbo tribe of Nigeria but why is that so? Why is this rite identified with the igbo people whose indigenous states cut across five states namely, Enugu, Igbo, Imo, Abia and Anambra?
It is interesting that Christmas, a celebration imported through Christianity—neither of which is indigenous to the Igbo people—now receives more homage than traditional events such as the New Yam Festival or August Meeting, which are deeply rooted in Igbo culture. Some insights suggest that the period between December 5 and January 5 is viewed by the Igbo as a season of rest. This perspective is tied to the fact that many Igbo people are business owners who work six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, with only Sundays for rest. However, Sundays are often consumed by church activities, as most Igbos are Christians and Sunday is the designated day of worship. Consequently, this leaves the Igbo with limited time for rest during the week. The Christmas season, therefore, offers a rare and extended opportunity for relaxation, making it an ideal time to return to one’s roots and reconnect with family and tradition.
Another reason is that, with an almost universal consensus that everyone will be home for Christmas, key meetings such as Umunna (extended family or kindred gatherings) are often scheduled during this period. The Christmas season is the ideal time to visit home and stay updated on the current situation in one’s village or family. It has become a significant homecoming period for the Igbos, with many social events taking place during this time. From weddings and funerals to home inaugurations, football competitions, communal feasts, and charitable activities, the season offers the perfect opportunity for a large turnout of invitees.
Additionally, this trend may be attributed to the fact that most Igbo people do not reside in their states of origin. Among the tribes in Nigeria, the Igbos are known to be the most widely traveled in search of better opportunities. They hold the belief that wealth lies beyond one’s immediate environment, which is why they are often found in other regions striving for greater financial empowerment.
Speaking on this, Umeh Chukwuedozie, an Igbo man from Anambra State who resides in Lagos, likened the Igbo people to the Jewish community, describing their unquenchable desire to explore other parts of the world rather than being confined to their homeland. He stated, 'Igbo people are the most industrious tribe in Nigeria, and possibly Africa, always seeking new adventures outside their homes but returning during Christmas to celebrate. For me, that is what influenced the tradition of coming back to the village during the season. Most Igbos are not at home (in their states of origin). He further explained that the Igbo people often settle elsewhere, leading to communities such as Igbo-Chinese, Igbo-Cambodians, Igbo-Malaysians, and even Igbo-Cubans, Japanese, and Haitians. 'Exploration, adventure, and a strong industrial identity drive them to sojourn to other places. However, at the end of the year, it has become a ritual for them to return home to celebrate. This tradition has been deeply rooted in Igbo culture and has endured for centuries,' he added.
Another perspective comes from Chinedu Ozor, an Igbo man from Enugu State who resides in Lagos. He simply referenced the lyrics of the South African artist Master KG’s song ‘Skeleton Move’ featuring Zanda Zakuza, which says, ‘No matter where you go, remember the road that will lead you home.’
Meanwhile, Nwanneka Onyeoma from Ebonyi State highlighted several reasons why the Igbos return to their villages during Christmas. She explained, 'For us Igbos, it is a time to come together as one and reconnect. This period also provides an opportunity for parents who had their children outside their states of origin to introduce them to their roots. It’s also a season for participating in traditional festivals, such as the masquerade celebration and other cultural events.'
Alaribe Odinaka, an Igbo man from Imo State who resides in Lagos, emphasized that the Igbos travel home during Christmas for family reunions, cultural celebrations, thanksgiving, and to carry out community projects. He remarked, 'Christmas is more than just a holiday or religious obligation; it is a homecoming period for reunions and a celebration of Igbo heritage and cultural traditions.'
However, there are concerns that the recent hyperinflation in Nigeria and other parts of the world could deter the Igbo people from traveling to their villages for Christmas in 2024. With flight tickets and road trips now costing what feels like an entire body—not just an arm or a leg—there are hopes that the Igbos will still uphold their cherished tradition of returning home to celebrate Christmas.