The home-grown tradition of celebrating with food, singing, music and dance forms a common thread throughout Goan diaspora history. The lead into the Christmas Season is always the feast of St Francis Xavier,wherever Goan communities congregate. It was celebrated right from the inception of the Catholic Church in British East Africa, and in 1920, the Nairobi Goan Tailors’ Society petitioned the Kenya government to declare 3 December a holiday for Goans. Although unsuccessful, they did manage to be excused from work till 10am, allowing them enough time to attend the morning mass. This tradition of honouring the saint continues to this day in Nairobi, thanks to the St. Francis Xavier’s Committee.