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vizhenz
Staff
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Posted: Dec 2nd, 2005 04:50 PM |
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Many who grew up in church and black communities in the states, have heard of “Night Watch Services.” This is the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year's Eve. Where the members of the church and/or community, come and share the testimonies of life experiences of the year going and hopes of the year coming. Some read scriptures that helped them or have meaning, sing, share poetry, etc. as the New Year approaches.
But about 140 years ago it had a different meaning among the black community New Year’s Eve was also known as “Freedom’s Eve”. December 31, 1862, the blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation would actually become a law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, January 1, 1863, all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God.
Gathering in churche on New Year's Eve, praising God for bringing them/us safely through another year. African American history of Watch Night still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate “Freedom’s Eve”.
As the years passed the traditions came, and some of us still live by these traditions you had/have to cook black-eye peas and something green (greens) washing all the clothes before the new year come in or you be washing all year, not cashing your pay check until after the new year’s to have money all year long, clean house or your house be dirty all year and so on....
When I was growing up, after church we would eat dinner at noon at my grandmother’s house in Alabama, the whole family had to be there. By my great-grandparents and their parents growing up in slavery, this day was a day they looked upon as important and a family gathering that was a must be there and everyone was there, family and friends coming and going…(a lot of celebrating) it was like a honor to be in their presence. To hear the stories they would tell my brothers, and me.
This is where I learn the most in my life about our history and how to truly respect your elder. For them it was how they kept the head count of who was left. This family tradition lasted through the years after they had gone on to a better life. Sad to say all the elders of my family went home to grace this tradition only have my kids and myself today, with a few friends. I still tell the stories and the stories of when I grew up in this family as a child.
I want to know what New Year's Eve mean to others, and did or do your family come together at this time?
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