Anglophone crisis: Christmas, New year festivities not thesame again
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Monday, 25 December, 2023 was calm, with ghosted streets in Bamenda, North West. Barricades of wooden tables on the road stretch around Travellers suggesting a halt in movement. One which components of a secession agenda had enforced. They said the yearly religious feast coincided with the traditional separatist-imposed ghost town day (Monday). The latter was to be respected, they had warned in widely spread social media messages.
Typical of such days, movements were not possible for households around the town by kids as in years before. The euphoria of end-of-year festivities had steadily dropped since the emergence in 2016 and the explosion of the conflict in the North West and South West.
Government activities to ensure security had left a significant impact on celebrations too. Noises such as those from fireworks have been repeatedly prohibited. News also recorded clubbers being bundled away for disorder and other supposed illegalities.
“Before now, people could stay out very late celebrating but insecurity has taken over Mutengene. Growing up, lighting fireworks was one of the highlights of Christmas. But now, it causes fright because it sounds like gunshots,” Etonde recounted.
What is left of the end-of-year festivities in these regions are lightings at some junctions, leading to funeral homes. Over 6000 are reported to have gone down in the blood bath of which family providers are amongst. Christmas for many kids, orphaned by the war may be another day to grapple for basic needs.
