An Immigrant's First American Christmas: Somali Bantus

Enlarge Howard Berkes, NPR

Somali Bantu interpreter Awad Gure explains the meaning of a Christmas tree to Awes Darbane (left), Habiba Darbane and Osman Darbane.

Howard Berkes, NPR

Somali Bantu interpreter Awad Gure explains the meaning of a Christmas tree to Awes Darbane (left), Habiba Darbane and Osman Darbane.

Enlarge Howard Berkes, NPR

The Jones family of Salt Lake City and the newly-arrived Barake family view the Christmas lights at Temple Square, a Utah tradition.

Howard Berkes, NPR

The Jones family of Salt Lake City and the newly-arrived Barake family view the Christmas lights at Temple Square, a Utah tradition.

Enlarge Howard Berkes, NPR

Hajio Barake and baby Abdi at a tree of lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Howard Berkes, NPR

Hajio Barake and baby Abdi at a tree of lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

The holiday season can be overwhelming, even for those who have seen it many times. But for those exposed to the Christmas phenomenon for the first time, the mix of shopping marathons, huge light displays and gift orgies can be utterly bewildering.

This is especially true for new arrivals to the United States, including Somali Bantu people who've been living in Kenyan refugee camps for the past decade. They're adjusting to a completely foreign culture, from socks and formal education to rent and other aspects of life in the United States. To help them along, their American hosts treat them to winter school celebrations and trips to see Christmas lights.

NPR's Howard Berkes visits Somali Bantu refugees in Salt Lake City as they experience the American holiday season for the first time. They find the excitement of Christmas contagious, even if confusion may linger over telling Santa from an NBA mascot.