Last year’s festive season in Bayelsa State took a different shape as families cope with the challenges of inflation and rising living expenses. Before now, festive seasons were characterized by lavish celebrations and communal feasts, however, last year’s festivities are marked by low budget planning and creative approaches to sustaining the holiday spirit.
With the prices of essential goods such as rice, cooking oil, onion and protein at all-time highs, many Bayelsans have been forced to adopt innovative strategies to celebrate within their means. For many families, the rising costs have redefined how they approach holiday shopping. In Yenagoa, the state capital, bulk buying and cooperative contributions among colleagues and neighbours have become the norm.
A market woman, Mrs. Ebikepreye Tonye, explained how her group of friends pooled resources to purchase food items in bulk, securing discounts that would have been impossible for individual buyers.
“It’s all about teamwork now. We realized we could do more together than separately”, she said.
These cost management strategies also extended to gift-giving and holiday decorations. Instead of expensive gifts, some families embraced handmade items and locally sourced products while others embraced do-it-yourself approach to create their Christmas decorations.
Mr. Ebimobowei Benibo, a teacher, shared how his children used recycled materials to make Christmas ornaments. “This year, we decided to teach our kids the value of creating memories instead of focusing on material gifts,” he explained.
Additionally, community support has become a lifeline for many low-income households. Churches, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local businesses stepped up to organize food distribution and charity events. The Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC) in Yenagoa, for instance, distributed essential food items to over 500 families in the area. According to the chairman of ICHC, Bodmas Prince Kemepadei, the initiative aimed to ensure that even those in remote areas, who might otherwise be excluded, could enjoy the festive season celebrations.
Also, an economist and lecturer at the Niger Delta University, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided insight into the economic realities impacting the festive season in Bayelsa State. He highlighted the rising cost of goods and services in Bayelsa, which has significantly affected the purchasing power of residents. “This economic strain has limited the ability of many families to celebrate the festive season as they would traditionally prefer”, he said.
While the challenges are evident, the resilience and adaptability of Bayelsans demonstrate that even in tough times, the festive spirit can endure.
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