People celebrate birthday everyday because every day is someone’s birthday elsewhere. There are lots of birthday songs out there to complement this thing called birth-day. What is birthday? It is that simple: the day you were born. Why do people celebrate their birthdays? Haha!! To mark the day they were born into this Plane of Existence called Earth!
Countries, organizations and other institutions celebrate their birthday (also known as Independence Day celebrations). I am from Nigeria and the Nigeria’s independence (assuming Nigeria is truly independent) is celebrated every October 1st because Nigeria got a so-called independence from Britain in October 1st 1960.
In Christianity, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on the 25th December of every year which is called Christmas; other religions have their own days where they celebrate the birth of whatever Deities they believe in as well.
I am the curator lol! So I still have my pictures of my birthday when I was a child. You know the childhood birthday pictures you snap back in the days….it is always full of memories, love and innocence! As I have grown older; I have not paid much attention to celebrating my birthday as I don’t see it as something that has a top priority in my life. Although when I was a Jehovah’s Witness celebrating birthday was demonized. I am a Virgo and September is my birthday (September 22 to be precise). But my attention is not even focused on celebrating my birthday; I think it does not matter to me whether I celebrate my birthday or not. I am not attached to celebrating my birthday (side note: not because a teaching from my former religion Jehovah’s Witness).
Before now, I mean many years back—when people were celebrating their birthdays I used to hear them say out their actual age with joy and proud. But for a reason I am yet to fathom the narrative has changed!! Nowadays, when people are celebrating their birthdays what you hear is “I am +1 today…” I think that is MADNESS! Why do you think someone who is celebrating his or her birthday should hide his age or her age? Is there any crime in saying out your age?
Apart from this trend that has taken up birthday celebration; people seem to be very attached to celebrating birthdays. I am not against it but the way people go about it most times is quite alarming and can be a cause of raising eyebrow…my opinion is everything should be done in moderation and decently.
What is your take on people hiding their age during their birthday celebration? Are there any cultural beliefs, stereotype or spiritual meaning attached to people not wanting to say out their age during their birthday celebrations? Do you think the word “+1” is the right thing to say during someone’s birthday celebration? What would happen or what is the worst that could happen if someone says out his or her actual age during their birthday celebration? Is it that people are ashamed to say out their actual age during birthday celebrations? Are you among those categories of people who have been adopted the term “+1”? If yes, why did you start using +1 during your birthday celebrations?
To everyone who is celebrating their birthday I wish you an abundant and superb birthday. Wishing you an aging with Grace and Glory!
Kingsley Osajie 