“What is Christmas like in Central Asia ?”
I asked this question of my friends, Michael and Anna (not their real names): here’s their reply:
Our home town in Central Asia is a Muslim town and only the believers here celebrate Christmas. The 25th of December is a normal working day and so the church will celebrate on the nearest Sunday. On the morning of that nearest Sunday, believers gather in their usual meeting place. The congregation sits on the floor on colourful cushions called “tushoks”. Once all are seated, there is a worship service, which usually includes a gospel message and a nativity or other drama.
Gifts aren’t usually exchanged within families but often each person is asked beforehand to bring one or two inexpensive wrapped gifts. After the service, there is a gift exchange and often games. For us Westerners, this lack of commercialization is welcome!
Christmas Communal Meal
After the service all share together in a Central Asian meal – so no roast turkey! First a large tablecloth is spread on the floor with the cushion seats along the edges. Usually the most senior guest (or oldest) sit in “the honoured place” – farthest from the door.
“Nan”, or round loaves-essential for any meal -are distributed around the tablecloth – as are autumn fruits: such as apples, persimmons or pomegranates. Then peanuts, sweets, green and pickled salads, and biscuits are distributed, as is deep-fried dough called “borsok”. This ‘aperitif’ is usually served with lashings of black or green tea. This is replenished from large thermos flasks. Sometimes, if there’s jam or honey this is stirred into the tea.
After everyone has had some tea and enjoyed the salads and other treats the climax of any celebration meal is served. This is the ‘Plov’. It is a large rice dish with chunks of lamb or other available meat (excepting pork). The meat is cooked with sliced yellow carrots, onions and whole garlic. It is usually served on large plates- each plate is shared between 4-5 guests. Generously, if you’re the visitor, people push the chunks of meat towards you. The ‘Plov’ usually marks the end of proceedings. Sometimes someone will bring a rich cream cake from the bazaar for pudding.
A communal, simple meal in church instead of our own private indulgences in our homes – now there’s food for thought!
Tags: Central Asia, Christmas