Surprise Christmas Package
For Dian Fossey, Christmas was an epic event. Perhaps her unhappy childhood made her long for a traditional and joyful celebration, one she could take to the nth degree. She had always given gifts and candies to children in nearby villages. Once Dian established Karisoke, she invited her staff, their spouses, and children to join in the festivities every year. Christmas was not a holiday Rwandans celebrated as we know it. Mostly they ate a special meal with their families. No gifts were exchanged.
Dian made sure everyone got a gift. Normally 70 - 80 people would attend, so the party was held outdoors. A Christmas tree erupted with gifts in the corner of her cabin.
Her staff and their families would make the two-hour trek, rain or shine, to Karisoke. They would arrive early, between 11:30 A.M. and 12:00 P.M., and leave between 4:00 - 5:00 P.M. For the next several hours, it was all about fun. Dian would talk with everyone as they ate a meal of meat, boiled potatoes, beans, green peas, and bread. When the meal was over, the drumming began, which would prompt the men to dance. Dian loved to join in on the dancing.
A most unexpected Christmas gift arrived one year. After a grueling hike up the mountain, Kana’s pregnant wife, Nyaramubili, went into intense labor. Dian took charge of delivering the baby. People heated water, brought clean towels, and made Nyaramubili as comfortable as possible. When the baby could wait no longer to join the party, Dian looked around for something to tie off the umbilical cord, but all she could find was pipe cleaners, so that’s what she used. She delivered a baby boy and his parents named him Habari Karisoke. The mother rested up at Karisoke overnight then trekked down the mountain with her new baby the next day. It was a Christmas they would never forget.
I hope your Christmas holiday bursts with love, joy, laughter, good health, and unexpected gifts.
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