The Feast of 'Sinterklaas'
on Jambo Uganda (Uganda), 10/Dec/2008 06:35, 34 days ago
The last few months have been as much an education in all things Dutch as they have been Ugandan… this weekend played host to ‘St Nicholas' Day’. On 6th December, our Dutch counterparts celebrate the arrival of St Nick from Spain to Holland. Traditionally he arrives on a boat, accompanied by his helper ‘Black Pete’ (Holland’s answer to the little elves)& dishes out presents to the well-behaved. Here in Uganda, we had to make do with Lake Victoria (which is shared by Uganda, Kenya& Tanzania!)& a speedboat. It must have been fairly amusing for the local Ugandans to see 2 Muzungus decked out in black face-paint!In the evening, we ate‘pepernoots’ (cinnamon biscuits)& exchanged presents& poems (the poem usually derives some fun out of your foibles& quirks& the one I received was quite long?! )Not wishing to be outdone, this week is truly British. It's 'Panto’ season. Yes, even in Kampala! We’re off to see ‘Robin Hood& his Merry Men of Mbarara Forest’& we’re dragging the Dutch with us...(Oh,& can anyone post me a haggis for Burns’ night?)