How New Year celebrations have changed over the years

Dec 30, 2019

Did you know that the early Roman calendar designated March 1 as the New Year?

FESTIVE SEASON

New year celebrations are a major highlight all over the world. Did you know that the early Roman calendar designated March 1 as the New Year?

The first time the new year was celebrated on January 1st was in Rome in 153 B.C. (In fact, the month of January did not even exist until around 700 B.C., when the second king of Rome, Numa Pontilius, added the months of January and February.)

In Uganda New year celebrations have become much bigger with much more pomp than they used to be then. From burning Christmas trees and tyres on the road to fireworks, partying and drinking at several hang out places and big hotels.

The "Christmas Tree " is actually a species of cypress native to Mexico and Central America. In Mexico, it is known as white cedar or cedar-of-Goa. Scientific name: Cupressus lusitanica.

The famous fireworks at the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge in Sydney

Otherwise, Christmas festives which include New Year cannot be complete without Fireworks!

In the past, fireworks were only for a few selected places but now days you will hear several hangouts and hotels announce that they will display fireworks.

Last year, Uganda Police gazetted 762 places for fireworks display.

Police warned that strict guidelines should be to adhered to, during the displays failure of which will attract severe penalties which might include stopping them from the exercise.

Rules governing fireworks displays:

- Prior press notice on all media platforms

-Have fireworks materials not exceeding 1.5 caliber.

-Display for only five minutes.

-All fireworks materials will be escorted by Police Counter Terrorism teams.

-All materials not displayed will be handed over to Counter Terrorism teams for safe custody.

-Those to conduct the exercise of display must be persons with explosives blaster licence (Fireworks licence).

-All venues to host the displays will be inspected to ensure suitability by the Counter Terrorism teams together with area Police Commanders.

Night prayers too are popular in Uganda and have been for a while several churches have overnights to usher in the New year. Back then, it was more of a culture for the Pentecostal churches but today even the traditional churches like the Catholics and Anglicans have New Year night prayers for their congregation.

Christians deep in prayer as they welcomed the New Year at Kololo Independence Grounds last year

Christmas and new year card greetings are still around but are they popular? Currently, these are more of a thing for companies and institutions. It's unlikely that you will find individuals giving out cards to one another. Companies now also give their staff and customers gift hampers to wish them a great festive season.

After the Christmas and New Year card greetings people moved on and started texting.

Do you remember struggling to send that SMS as the system was jammed since everyone would wait for New Year's Eve to send greetings to their loved ones? It was not only the SMS system that got jammed phone lines too were busy, placing a call was a total nightmare it would either be dropped or even fail to get through.

With the coming of social media WhatsApp and Facebook, some of us bid farewell to texts and calls. Simply send your season's greetings with a GIF, poster or a simple message. They are several of these online, why would one even hustle with buying a card.

oncerts and shows are popular during ew ears elebrations and lately they are so many of these

Concerts and shows are popular during New Year's Celebrations and lately, they are so many of these

New year is also a good time for the entertainment industry. Artistes make a killing during this season. Now days you are literally spoilt for choice. They are so many shows and events to choose from. From live band performances to comedy shows and much more.

nkuuka omwaka is also one of the popular events of the ew ear elebrations Enkuuka Y'omwaka is also one of the popular events of the New Year Celebrations

Another thing that has cropped up over the years is the traffic jam on New Year's Eve. Have you ever gone through the city on this day? Roads are jammed with cars and pedestrians as well as pickpockets. One wonders if people go upcountry only for the Christmas holiday and come back to the city for the New Year celebrations.

he traffic congestion down town is a familiar sight during the festive season hoto by oseph alikuddembe The traffic congestion downtown is a familiar sight during the festive season (Photo by Joseph Balikuddembe)