INTRODUCTION
A birthday is the anniversary of the birth of a person, institution, country, or any geographical territory.
People celebrate birthdays in line with their culture, religion, tradition and custom. These celebrations usually come with birthday wishes, gifts, cards, cake, partying and fanfare.
In some instances, especially with the youths in contemporary/modern society, birthdays have become synonymous with wining, dining, and all sorts of obscenity.
For countries, it is the anniversary of the Nation’s independence which comes with public holidays, prayers in places of worship, parades, and feasting.
Interestingly enough, many religions celebrate the birthday of their founder, prominent figures, and special days of obligation like Christmas for Christians and Maulid for Muslims.
BEGINNING OF BIRTHDAY PHENOMENON
The first recorded mention of a birthday came from Ancient Egypt,where large celebrations were put on for the Pharaoh. It was said to have taken place somewhere around 3,000 BC which can be found in the Hebrew Bible.
Good as it may be, the rituals and the attachment of birthdays to the gods of ancient Egyptian and Greeks culture made early Christians to consider birthdays as pagan worship.
In the first few hundred years of existence of the early Christians, they believed birthday celebrations to be evil, and hence will not allow the practice to permeate the new converts.
Surely, this is not surprising steps, as it was during the celebration of King Herod’s birthday that he ordered the beheading of John the Baptist, and presented the head of John the Baptist as his birthday promise to his daughter as guided by Herodias, for her beautiful and entertaining dance steps – Matthew 14 : 1 – 12, Mark 6 : 21 – 29
However, this stance changed around the fourth century when the birthday of Jesus began to be celebrated.
BIRTHDAY IN CHRISTENDOM AND ISLAM
While the birthday of Jesus Christ is celebrated as Christmas on December 25 with all the solemnity it deserves, His death and resurrection is celebrated at Easter.
Likewise, the birthday of the Virgin Mary is liturgically celebrated on September 8 while that of John the Baptist is on June 24.
In Islam, Maulid is the official birthday of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him, and is celebrated on the 12th or 17th day of Rabi ‘ al – awal especially by adherents of Sunni and Shia respectively.
EMMANUEL GANDU’S BIRTHDAY
Interestingly, Mr. Emmanuel Gandu’s birthday is 1st. November.
You would recall that 1st November is the Solemnity of All Saints. Although I share this same date of November 1st with the Saints, I’m not a saint, in fact I cannot be one because there is no living saint. That decision is purely God’s after one’s death.
In view of this sharing of 1st November with the Saints, all the liquor shops, bars, joints and relaxation centres across my area of abode and neighbourhood are usually closed down for the whole day.
And for my family, friends, neighbours, and acquaintances, corporate organizations, etc, it was as beautiful, nostalgic and as complimentary receiving all your phone calls, text messages, WhatsApp and Facebook pleasantries to celebrate me.
I must confess that it was overwhelming, as I promise to reciprocate during your own birthday – just like I always say in my writings, ” Trust me.”
For those of you folks who do not share this privilege of November 1st date, please do make sure the liquor shops, bars, and relaxation joints are open for the party during yours.
Thank U for celebrating me.
This is me in 2016
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