The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
New Canadians bringing traditions to Canada
Around the world, Christmas traditions vary, but what doesn't change are the fond memories of childhood Christmases spent with family, eating lots of homecooked holiday favourites, and road trips home.
Glenn Ringer, who is originally from the United Kingdom, moved to Cape Breton two years ago with his family. His wife, Megan (Capstick) Ringer, grew up on the island and, like many Caper ex-pats before her, wanted to come home.
Christmases in the U.K. aren't much different from Cape Breton, the aircraft engineer said. However, there are no stockings and there's a lot of food that's not part of the typical Canadian Christmas menu.
"Like Cape Breton pork pies," said Ringer, who worked for 15 years in the oil and gas sector and currently is employed at Protocase.
"To us, it's minced pork with minced pork belly, with a hot water pastry. I was so bloody disappointed when somebody handed me a Cape Breton pork pie. I said, 'There's no pork in it. Where's the pork?'"
The food he misses from Christmases back home in Newcastle upon Tyne, (commonly referred to as Newcastle) includes sweet mince pies, Christmas cake, and Christmas pudding which is a steamed dessert made with suet, dark fruit, and brandy poured over the top then lit on fire before eating.
"Christmas pudding is cake based and fruit-heavy," he said. "Sweet mince pies, oh, I love them. We eat those like they're going out of style."
During the holidays, Ringer does get to eat some of his Christmas favourites because his mother-in-law is from the U.K as well and makes them at home.
FROM KENYA TO WOLFVILLE
Lennie Omwenga came to Canada in September 2017 for a postgraduate program in social work.
Before the year was out, Omwenga decided to switch gears and enrolled in the behavioural sciences program at Nova Scotia Community College and has been working as a social worker since graduating. He now lives in Wolfville.
From Eldoret, the fifthlargest and fastest-growing city in Kenya, Omwenga's Christmas involved travelling home to the rural area, where family eagerly awaited.
"At the start of December, every kid is home to see (family)," he said. "I miss that a lot. It's something we did since I was a kid. You go home to Grandma, you meet your cousins, you meet your uncles, your aunts. The whole family is there for the celebrations."
Like Canada, they put up Christmas trees, usually cutting them on Dec. 20 or 21. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas morning and there's lots of food to eat.
Instead of turkey, sheep and goats are served, which the families slaughter and roast. It's served with rice, vegetables, potatoes, drinks (with pop for the children and alcohol for the adults) and cake for dessert.
Omwenga misses the trip to Grandma's the most.
"The whole concept of going home, of every other family member coming home to see grandparents, to spend time with family," he said.
"Christmas to New Year's is a time to spend with family in Kenya. And eat lots of meat during this time is also very important."
With no family in Nova Scotia, Omwenga spends Christmas with friends. He met other Kenyans in Halifax a couple of years ago and they get together to make food from their home country, bringing a bit of Africa to their Canadian Christmas.
FROM BANGLADESH TO HALIFAX
Tahil Akter is a Cape Breton University student who moved to Cape Breton in 2018 to study supply chain management.
Now in his final year, he moved to Halifax in September after his wife moved from Dacca.
Although Bangladeshis are primarily Muslim, like Akter, it's still a public holiday they celebrate with family.
"Christmas is not our festival but now it's becoming a festival for everyone in Bangladesh."
It usually involves a drive, followed by a meal, although Akter said it's not fancy and nothing like what they eat for Eid al-adha, also called Eid al-fitr.
For a month before, Muslims celebrate Ramadan by fasting during daylight hours. Eid is the festival that breaks the fast.
Families go home, said Akter, and the anticipation for Eid builds through the month.
"People are so excited to go home and see their families. There are family members back in the villages, waiting for their fathers, who are working in the cities to bring presents," he said.
"There's no work, just having fun and eating until your body bursts in the belly."
During Eid, animals are slaughtered in sacrifice to Allah. One-third goes to people living in poverty, one to friends and relatives, and the last the family eats.
They also have fish, rice and vegetables and special desserts, like a rice pudding made with rose water.
"The food smells so good and tastes so good. From house to house the (food) items will vary," Akter said.
"On that day, everyone can visit, no one will turn you away. Every door is open and when you come, you are given a drink and something to eat."
While living in Cape Breton, Akter made friends with other Bangladeshis and celebrates with them. He hopes he and his wife will be able to connect with the Bangledeshi community in Halifax to celebrate Eid together after COVID-19 measures are lifted.