Why Kenya’s Millennials Call January Njaanuary!
By Hosea Namachanja.
In African continent, Kenyan youth can’t miss the top 5 list of creativity and media use. For instance, KoT popularly known as Kenyans On Twitter. This group is like a swarm of bees. When in unison, none can withstand its pressure.
But, have we ever asked ourselves why yearly on the month of January, Kenyan youth call the month Njaanuary ? Beside that, have you heard of Upper January and Lower January phrases either verbally or via social media ?
The noun ‘ Njaanuary ‘ is a creative noun coined in a comedian and humorous manner from the real noun January. Njaanuary, as it’s beginnings look, ‘ njaa’ eludes hunger hence in general, the month of hunger.
Why Njaanuary ? On a festive season of December, non – millennials and millennials feast as if there’s no tomorrow. Many with smiling pockets or wallets rarely put greens in their mouth. It’s always Nyam Choma ( roasted meat), fried meat, eggs and wheat flour related meals.
Still on the festive season, many ‘ spoil ‘ themselves with expensive things ranging from electronics to clothing. It’s the season they claim, ‘ love yourself to the mighty because you don’t know your tomorrow. ‘
There are many ‘ tours ‘ among the millennials. For instance, navigating new love relationships, touring cool nice and expensive pubs and hotels to have their tastes, visiting night payable festivals and taking out their lovers as surprises.
With strong vast and heavy pockets, most millennials rarely do cleaning in the village. They casually ’employ’ village boys and girls to do the cleaning for payment. A foot walk is majorly done by a motorbike. In short, with money, everything is possible.
Extravagantly, that’s how poor men and women with little money their minds go in ten different directions until they realize, brokenness is knocking at their door. Who can take tea and githeri for breakfast when there’s money to buy bread or mandazi in the village ? A city or college millennial ? Not in Kenya.
After getting broke due to over spending on December, cries never cease in Njaanuary. Hunger of everything. Talk of credit card, bundles, basic needs and pocket caretaker. Some even resent to taking two meals a day.
The reason for January being Njaanuary is here that usually results to Upper January and Lower January. Upper January, is characterized by some small small pain and struggle to have a nice lifestyle because of December remains while Lower January, there exists no remains. It’s just hunger and pain. No money. The month looks like two in one.
The adapted sweet aroma of money and meals fancied on December, usually look like a dream and a forceful adaptation to a new lifestyle. The greens that were hated on December, it’s on Njaanuary that their effectiveness is observed. The loathed cabbage is loved here on Njaanuary.
Had you ever known Njaanuary’s genesis ? Navigate and fancy expensive lifestyle on December festive season then have a painful season on January that will make you call the month Njaanuary. Happy Njaanuary folks.
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