The past four weekends, graduations abounded. For the graduating students of the various colleges, each Saturday marked the day of culmination of their studies, making that day indeed worthy of a celebration. But what type of celebration?

Eritreans tend to be as enthusiastic as possible whenever commemorating certain events, from weddings to birthdays and graduations, with the level of extravagancy and showiness increasing according to the particular family’s abundance.

But the flamboyance has, I think, been getting exaggerated over the years.

By the time I graduated in 2005 pomposity in celebrations was already en vogue. I remember being stunned to see a fellow graduate being ushered into a limousine, with pictures of the graduate and banners reading congratulations affixed to the windows.

And then there was this graduate that had to endure a bride-and-groom treatment for the entire day, his family having set up a huge tent with a small platform in the back where the graduate sat in an armchair. All guests came up to the platform to extend their congratulations and take pictures with him.

Some graduation ceremonies look just like those of weddings. The tent is all decorated and arranged in a manner befitting a wedding. Although I never got to attend in person, there were a number of graduation ceremonies where music bands were hired for the occasion.

And some well-to-do families also throw lavish lunch receptions with buffets prepared by well-known restaurants.

And then there is the issue of distributing confetti to guests. Although originally the notion of distributing confetti is associated with weddings, it has over time evolved to include birthdays, anniversaries, promotional events and of course graduation ceremonies. Graduation confetti, which has been in existence for some time now, is usually prepared and given out by female graduates.

Nowadays however, even boys have taken up the tradition. Those who believe that the confetti concept is somewhat girlish; they resort to distribute small thank you cards.

A friend, who graduated last Saturday at the Mai-Nefhi Institute of Technology, had prepared his in a miniature version of a postcard: his picture on the top and his message of thanks in the inside.

Whether it gave sense or was grammatically coherent sentence, the message read (verbatim): “Thank you for your coming and sharing your presence with me on my graduation.”

The idea of celebrating graduations always remains important. Graduations, however, don’t take significance just because of a lavish reception; it’s only when the education and skill acquired is put to good use for the benefit of the individual, its parents and in the end the nation itself.