Also, most restaurants and shops will be closed since it is a national holiday, so most people do grocery shopping well in advance. In many African countries, it’s tradition to string up Christmas lights and ornaments and even decorate trees… But the African Christmas trees are just a little different from your usual pine or fir tree. The love feast is a ceremony where people come as they are to eat, drink, and be merry. Christmas, celebrated by most Christians on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. I don’t know about you, but during Christmas my palate longs for those bold, rich and flavorful African dishes that have served me good memories over the years. 15 Best Countries to Visit in Africa for Vacation, Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Africa, The Islands of Mozambique: Ibo, Anantara Medjumbe & …, Botswana National Parks: An Extensıve Guı…. The African Christmas traditions in Madagascar is more traditional than in South Africa. Wherever you go and whatever you eat, the Christmas meal in Africa is all about inviting all your friends and family to share in the good times – and everyone is welcome. The streets in the Cape Town and central districts are decorated with lights and inflatables. Everything is brought to the table, dances, songs, dramas, and even … https://afrotourism.com/travelogue/christmas-traditions-around-africa In east Africa they roast a whole goat. Either way, Christmas is a time for family and merrymaking. It is also considered the celebration of the winter solstice in some countries. People used to travel their native place or villages from town and the traffic during the Christmas season becomes a nightmare in Kenya because everyone is travelling. Christmas day begins with groups of carolers walking to and … Other areas in western Africa also have some pretty cool traditions. Boxing Day is the day after Christmas when the wise men went to visit Jesus. Through festivals like these and stories that continue to carry on, the history of the African American Christmas tradition continues for generations to come. Unlike other parts of the world, there is no room for a cold, snowy Christmas in South Africa. South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, so the country celebrates Christmas during the hot summertime of the year. On the other hand, an Africa Christmas does not have a lot of those characteristics but is nonetheless remarkable. Christmas Calendars: Supporting an animal shelter or worthy causes couldn’t be easier. A decorated tree is usually one of the first decorative signs that the Christmas … Although the majority of the continent cannot afford a luxury lifestyle, gifting remains a common tradition. That is not to say Christmas is taken for granted in Africa. RELATED CONTENT: 9 once-in-a-lifetime things to do in Tanzania with Trafalgar. In the evening, large dinner parties are organized, especially for the poor who can’t afford many meals in daily life. In the Christmas morning, African people and groups of carolers walk around the village and sing Christmas carols. Christmas gift … Sharo happens when two young men want to marry the same woman. Typically, smaller families can celebrate Christmas day with other families. Whether you’re just visiting for the Christmas holidays or you find yourself settling into ex-pat life in France, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with some of France ’s most interesting Christmas traditions.. With normal Christmas traditions such as advent calendars and the standard Christmas Eve gift-giving rituals, some French Christmas traditions … All that vitality comes to life through the festive mood of the people. Of course, there are several variations to celebrating an African Christmas, depending on if you are single, have a family, or the elderly. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. Please let me know if you have any questions or if we could help in any way. Read about Christmas and its traditions in Africa and African Christmas customs. In many African countries, it symbolizes the birth of African God Ra (Osiris). Have you ever thought of experiencing an African Christmas? Traditionally referred to as Ganna, an Ethiopian Christmas typically begins with a day of fasting, followed by church services and a feast that includes stew, vegetables and sourdough bread. There are 38 countries with a significant population of Christian. In Ghana, the Yuletide festivities get started as soon as December arrives, with shops, streets and homes decorated in twinkling lights and ornaments. Christmas was long-declared a public holiday in Africa, so all the family members can attend the dinner on this special day. On Christmas day afternoon, people visit family and friends or might go for a trip into the country side to play games or have a swim. EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: African Safari Adventure, A post shared by Kaluhi (@kaluhiskitchen). Tanzanians like to roast a cow or goat to share around the village and wash it down with home-brewed beer, while in Liberia, you’ll find beef, rice and biscuits for your Christmas feast. It was created by Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa, including West and Southeast Africa. Many people visit churches with their fanciest clothes that they bought by saving up money for months. And the food is mostly going to be traditional. This website uses cookies. During the holiday season is a great time to visit Africa. With Christians making up almost half of the continent’s population, Christmas is a big deal in Africa, and they sure know how to celebrate. If you require more information please view our Cookie policy. In most African countries, church services are the most important Christmas tradition. In Liberia, you’ll see Old Man Bayka, the ‘devil’ who doesn’t give presents but instead walks the streets on Christmas Day begging you for presents. © Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. Who needs snow for Christmas decorations? Wonder how christmas is celebrated in Africa? You will hear strangers saying Merry Christmas to each other in the Malagasy language. So, when African people decorate trees during this period, they are sending regards to ancient times when Ra’s birthday was celebrated. Holiday Traditions in South Africa … The Christmas traditions and customs of America are … In some countries like the Congo, the locals bring a gift for their church’s Communion table. Christmas meals are usually slow-cooked one day in advance. Whether you buy them from stores or get them tailored, almost everyone arrives at church on Christmas Day rocking their new outfits. Do you know how Christmas is celebrated in African countries? Community service is also a considerable part of an African Christmas in Nigeria. They usually have grandparents from the countryside to be part of this special day. Christmas in Africa. In Ghana, the festivities start early around December 1, when shops and homes are decorated with Christmas trees and blinking lights. To compete for her hand, they beat one another up. Cultural Differences. The type of meal depends on the country, which we will cover in the next section. Good Job making it! Christmas in South Africa is the time when everything is the most alive; flowers are blooming, people and smiling and carol singers are out in force. Though most friends and families do not exchange gifts, commu… Kwanzaa (/ ˈ k w ɑː n. z ə /) is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day. Church Services and Caroling. Christmas in Africa Preparation for Christmas in the Congo begins when some group is designated to prepare the annual Christmas pageant. I would love to hear your comments below! They also hold big musical events at their church with at least five choirs and a long nativity play. Putting a price on the bride. Christianity in Africa. Boxing Day is also a public holiday in South Africa … Christmas traditions do vary in each culture but nothing beats the fact that this celebration won’t be complete without a sumptuous array of holiday food shared with our loved ones over merry chatters and cheerful songs. On TV. The church... Dinner. Geseende Kersfees (“Merry Christmas” in my home language, Afrikaans) from all of us here in South Africa!. Although for many of the African countries Christmas comes during the summer months, accompanied by lots of sunshine and colourful flowers in full bloom, the spirit of Christmas on this … South Africa also has several other UK Christmas traditions, because of its history with the UK. These children usually receive gifts afterward. In Kenya, it’s all about grilled meats at the nyama choma or meat and potato stew. You can see a list of the most popular Nigerian food during the festive season. With over 350 million Christians living in the continent, many Southern and West African countries celebrate Christmas with massive festivities, even those that are predominantly Muslim. The Yuletide season is all about honouring the birth of Jesus and you’ll find church services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Interestingly, children of Uganda don’t believe in Santa Claus, which is why they never expect gifts. There is also double celebration as Christmas falls on the end of the cocoa harvest. You’ll also find nativity scenes, nativity plays, dance performances, communion tables and carolling. Families can opt for making braai on the grill or cook more traditional South African dishes. While the majority of countries in Africa celebrate Christmas on December 25th, it’s not the same everywhere. Boxing Day, December 26th, is also a public holiday, and a day for relaxation. Have you ever thought of experiencing an African Christmas? Almost everyone in the world agrees that Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus… and enjoying a feast. Common Christmas Traditions in Africa Going to Church. You can even read about the American slave experience in the children’s story, Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade. Popular traditional dishes include turkey, duck, mince pie, roast beef, and pudding-like Plum pudding imported from the UK, and the locally invented Malva pudding. No matter how inexpensive a gift item is, everyone has to participate. Akan (Ghana): AfishapaZimbabwe: Merry KisimusiAfrikaans: (South Africa) Geseënde KersfeesisiZulu: (South Africa) Sinifisela Ukhisimusi OmuhleSwazi (Swaziland): Sinifisela Khisimusi LomuhleSotho (Lesthoto): Matswalo a Morena a MabotseSwahili (Tanzania, Kenya): Kuwa na Krismasi njemaAmharic (Ethiopia): Melkam Yelidet BeaalEgyptian (Egypt): Colo sana wintom tiebeenYoruba (Nigeria): E ku odun, e hu iye’ dun! Christmas dinner is a perfect opportunity for family gatherings, so African communities take it very seriously. The meals consist of chicken or pork with yellow rice. In some countries, churches can organize parades as well. Almost everyone in the world agrees that Christmas … Christmas and gifting are two inseparable concepts, and Africa is no exception. Required fields are marked *. Although these countries do not celebrate Christmas in a conventional like in the United States or Europe, the unique and distinct differences are worth noting. Also, depending on what tribe a family is from, they will make meals from their trip. They also provide emergency food and essentials to hungry children and their families during the Christmas season. The churches hold ceremonies and events during the day. Christmas is one of the most festive times in Nigeria, and it is time people spend with their families to show appreciation to their loved ones. There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season that don't involve gift-giving. The church ceremonies consist of carols, nativity play, and dance performances. Most Christian households go to church service is held on Christmas morning to celebrate the birth of Christ. Today, most Americans blend religious and secular customs with their own family traditions… RELATED CONTENT: The 7 best experiences you can enjoy in Kenya with Trafalgar. The Fulani tribe live in many countries in West Africa and follow a tradition called Sharo. Cakes or desserts are made of lychees that commonly grow in Madagascar. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our nation is called the Rainbow Nation because we have a diversity of races, languages (eleven to be exact) and traditions. Instead of expensive gifts, people usually gift each other affordable items or services. Instead, flowers are in full bloom, beautiful butterflies, bees and other insects are abundant, and the sun is always shining. Compared to the previous countries on the list, Chad has the least westernized Christmas traditions. Despite small differences among the ceremonies, going to church is a must at Christmas. The Rockettes - Since 1925, first known as the Missouri Rockets, this iconic dance troupe has been … South Africans share several of their Christmas traditions with the English who introduced many of their customs when British settlers arrived in the Eastern Cape in 1820. When it comes to Christmas celebration, Africa … In places like Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Malaysia, Western customs and traditions … One of the most popular gifts across Africa is new clothes. Read more about Christmas traditions in Africa, e.g. Many families go camping in massive tents, while those staying in cities organize outdoor events like traditional barbecue (braai). In Sierra Leone and much of Gambia , for example, towns and villages celebrate with masquerade parties, extending the celebration beyond the faith community to include the whole town or village in the holiday spirit. You can even read about the American slave experience in the children’s story, Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade. Going to church on Christmas Eve is very common, and families eat dinner in large community gatherings is commonly observed, especially outside churches. Yes, many of them have a sizeable Christian population; therefore, they celebrate Christmas. In countries like The Gambia, a joyous parade is held after the Christmas Eve church service. Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day. In Nigeria, flavoured rice, tomato stew and fried chicken or goat are the stars of the festivities, while in Ghana, the locals dish up their famous Jollof rice, fufu and okra soup. I’m glad it was helpful. "Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Gifts are opened on Christmas morning, followed by a relaxing, festive and abundant Christmas Dinner. As a result, many Asian countries that do celebrate Christmas simply follow Western customs and traditions, such as Midnight Mass and the exchange of gifts (but not without enthusiasm). Santa isn’t a continent-wide African Christmas tradition. During the winter, people that live in colder climates like to turn the heat up and stay cozy inside. It’s no different in Africa, with many countries putting on their own traditional and delicious Christmas meals. Christmas is often associated with North America and European countries showcasing glowing Christmas light shows, winter markets, parades, and picturesque views of snow-capped mountains. On Christmas morning, African people and groups of carolers walk around the village and sing Christmas … Do Africans Celebrate Christmas? On this day Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus … While in Zambia, the churches hold nativity plays and locals sing beautiful carols in the streets. If you could choose a country to visit during the holiday season to experience an African Christmas, which one would you choose and why? Africa travelAfrican ChristmasAfrican Christmas traditionsChristmas in AfricaChristmas traditionschristmas travel. Learn more about Lydia and Louisa and why they started Africa Wanderlust. Read more about Christmas traditions in Africa, e.g. Africa is more than just safaris. Some Christmas Traditions in the South Africa is same as UK because of its history with UK. Forget the snow, fir trees and mulled wine. RELATED CONTENT: Eat your way around Africa and the Middle East with these 15 dishes, A post shared by BLACK FOODIE™ (@blackfoodie.co). Also, instead of saying “Merry Christmas” in Liberia, the locals say “My Christmas on you”. You exchange your wrapped gift with your church family and friends and establish new friendships during the process. Your email address will not be published. How Do People Celebrate Christmas in Africa? Easy to do, Santa Shoebox project is a beloved tradition of charity embraced by South Africa at large. Christmas dinner is a … South Africa… We all know the worldwide meaning of Christmas, on which people commemorate the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. When they get to the location, usually a park with a lot of open space, they start the love feast. Whether you believe in Santa or not, giving out presents isn’t usually a major African Christmas tradition. If you're… Celebrations are still held in the Bahamas. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Eat your way around Africa and the Middle East with these 15 dishes, The 7 best experiences you can enjoy in Kenya with Trafalgar, Where to go to discover the real history of Egypt, 9 once-in-a-lifetime things to do in Tanzania with Trafalgar, 7 new and unique experiences you can now do in South Africa with Trafalgar, Where to go in 2021 with Trafalgar to make up for lost time, This year I will… 7 travel resolutions to make and keep in 2021, 11 fun facts about Costa Rica, one of the happiest countries in the world. In Africa, Christmas is all about festive concerts, sunny outdoor feasts and Christmas street parades. In Congo in Africa, a group is designated just to prepare the annual Christmas pageant. Either way, Christmas is a time for family and merrymaking. The locals also usually buy their new clothes months in advance, as the shops are notorious for hiking up the prices in December since they know people will come to buy their new Christmas clothes. Christmas in South Africa. Share with us in the comments below! Some countries just don’t believe in a red-suited jolly man arriving on his sleigh to leave presents for the kids. Special Christmas feasts. There are dance and singing performances, competitions and football matches all over the city. Combined with the fact that it is a public holiday, you will see a lot of people hanging out outside. Christmas in Congo In Congo in Africa, a group is assigned to prepare an annual Christmas pageant. In the Ugandan cities, the churches became the center of the celebrations with church bells and carols by candlelight. In fact, flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and everything is alive. Although historians are debating about the actual date of his birth, the overall accepted date is December 25th. The Coptic Christians in Egypt and Ethiopia actually celebrate Christmas on January 7th as they follow the older Julian calendar. Christmas in South Africa and Namibia. Every Christmas Eve, South African’s gather together to sing Christmas Carols in the candlelight. Americans, like many of the world’s peoples, have developed their own Christmas traditions and observances, and these have changed greatly over time. There’s also double the celebration in Ghana, as Christmas falls at the same time as the end of the cocoa harvest. Lobola is an ancient and controversial Southern African tradition in … Do you know how Christmas is celebrated in African countries? The Christmas Tree. Although Chad is predominantly Muslim, they do celebrate Christmas. You will encounter not only the vibe of the holiday but also the culture and heritage of the country. This basically means “please give me something nice for Christmas”. The Gambia celebrates Christmas with a massive parade with large lanterns called fanal in the shape of boats. Christmas … This helped me a lot. Despite small differences among the ceremonies, going to church is a must at Christmas. But in many African nations, it means the party’s just getting started! From a camel-riding Santa to masquerade parties, here are 6 wonderful African Christmas traditions. For almost everyone in Africa, Christmas is a time to gather with friends and family, go to church and enjoy a big feast – but every country also has its own unique festive traditions. A vital component of the love feast is a gift exchange. In some countries around the world, the end of the Midnight Mass signals the time to go to bed to wait for Santa. Other activities during love feast include singing, dancing, Bible recitation. With the traditional touch, each African country has its handmade decorative items. Enjoy a new tradition and celebrate with an African Christmas! We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our website’s functionality and performance, and a better experience for our users. After visiting the church, the celebration starts with a traditional Christmas dinner party. Although Christmas celebrations in South Africa are unique, the spirit of Christmas … No matter the size of the Christian population, almost every country in Africa has its own amazing way to celebrate the spiritual side of Christmas. Christmas: Around the World: Christmas in Africa. They then go to home to wear festive clothes and take love offerings for Jesus to … For the season, here you can get a window in to the Christmas traditions observed in Kenya that have been observed for decades … The morning of Christmas is spent at a traditional breakfast called millet. Also, some people in Ethiopia and Egypt don’t believe in Santa Claus, while in Kenya, Santa is depicted as arriving on a camel or bike instead of a sleigh! Christmas traditions include a variety of customs, religious practices, rituals, and folklore associated with the celebration of Christmas.Many of these traditions vary by country or region, while others are universal and practiced in a virtually ubiquitous manner across the world.. People who live in rural areas try their best with the available resources like food and electricity to be part of the Christmas celebration. And in Most West African Countries, Christmas is about stews, chicken, rice, goat … In some countries like Malawi, children dance and sing while other children play traditional instruments. A summer Christmas in South Africa. The Christmas celebration is a kind of routine every year for the republican of Kenya. In a larger family, one family member hosts the celebration, and kids, grandkids, parents, grandparents, friends and families, and people in the community are invited to come to have fun. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Your Go-To Resource for African Travel Destinations. South Africans agree, with their famous outdoor braais, or special barbecues at Christmas time. You’ll see everything from Cypress trees to mango and palm trees bedazzled with little ornaments like bells and candles across Africa, while the big stores and hotels usually put up more extravagant decorations like fake snow. Do you know any African Christmas traditions? The United States is a melting pot, where all the traditions and customs of several nations blend, and this facet is visible in its Christmas tradition too. On Christmas afternoon, people go to meet their family friends or plan a trip with them to play some games or have fun. Those who can afford to give more help to poor communities by donating books, clothes, and toys to orphanages or churches. If you’re spending Christmas in Ethiopia, you’ll have to wait a little longer than December 25, as most people follow the ancient Julian calendar and celebrate the holiday on January 7. African history has an additional layer to the worldwide known account of Christmas. To define South African Christmas traditions are hard, because of our diversity as a nation, every race has it’s own ways in which they celebrate Christmas. People do share gifts with each other, but it’s also tradition to donate to the churches and orphanages with presents like clothes, books, soap, candles and toys. Think: putting up Christmas tree decorations with unique Christmas tree toppers, baking holiday cookies, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies, for starters.While all of these festive activities are surefire ways to get you and your family into the holiday spirit, there are other Christmas traditions … Recent years saw some technological advances like fake snow at store entrances. Your email address will not be published. A super … RELATED CONTENT: 7 new and unique experiences you can now do in South Africa with Trafalgar. Senegal does celebrate Christmas despite being a Muslim dominated country. Africa has diverse cultures most of which are put on display in different parts of the continent during Christmas. The fanals are lit with candles inside and carried from house to house to collect donations. Many South Africans have their traditional holiday meal of a barbeque or braai, or the traditional big Christmas roast even though it is hot and sunny. Egypt and Ethiopia follow the Julian calendar, so they celebrate Christmas on January 7th. The church members come with gifts, food, and drink, and the choirs will perform Christmas songs in many languages like Yoruba, Fulani, and Igbo. Maybe you can bring some of these traditions into your celebration! Your email address will not be published. The supper is usually served with lamb or sheep. Matooke is an essential ingredient in the meals as in indigenous fruit that is steamed and mashed. The vast majority of African countries are entering the hot season of the year. Keep on reading! Since every African country has a distinct way of celebrating Christmas, let us take a closer look at some of these traditions. You can also see many decorations on indigenous poinsettia trees. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.". For Chadians, spending time with family is the most crucial aspect of Christmas, and they do that indoors, so you are less likely to encounter outdoor events. Here is why! The earliest signs of Christian belief were found in Egypt in the 1st century AD. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Desserts include Christmas plum pudding, Christmas Crackers, and a traditional dish called Malva Pudding, or Lekker Pudding. Buying gifts is also quite rare since people cannot afford it. The men must suppress signs of pain and the one who takes the beating without showing signs of pain can take the wife. Since some dominant Muslim countries like Egypt and Sierra Leone do celebrate Christmas, between 38 and 41 African countries, celebrate Christmas.The most dominate Christian countries include: Angola (79%), Benin (42.8%), Botswana (70%), Burkina Faso (30%), Burundi (75%+), Cameroon (70%), Cape Verde (93%), Central African Republic (91%), Chad (40%), Comoros (71.9%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (95.7%), Republic of the Congo (50%), Equatorial Guinea (90%), Eritrea (50%), Eswatini (88%), Ethiopia (62.8%), Gabon (80%), Ghana (71.2%), Ivory Coast (33.9%), Kenya (84.8%), Lesotho (95%), Liberia (85.5%), Madagascar (41%), Malawi (85%), Mauritius (32.7%), Mozambique (51.6%), Namibia (90%), Nigeria (40%), Rwanda (59.6%), São Tomé and Príncipe (80%), Seychelles (76%), South Africa (80%), South Sudan (60.5%), Tanzania (61.4%), Togo (38%), Uganda (84%), Zambia (96%), and Zimbabwe (85%).These African countries have less than 21% Christian population: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt (15%), Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone (15-21%), Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia; with Sierra Leone and Egypt being the highest rate at 21% and 15% respectively. 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Candles inside and carried from house to house to house to collect donations do people celebrate Christmas day their! No different in Africa, a post shared by Kaluhi ( @ kaluhiskitchen ) is December 25th, it s. To marry the same everywhere must at Christmas boxing day is the day after Christmas the! The meals as in indigenous fruit that is not to say Christmas is in Ugandan. Part of the continent during Christmas as a way to replicate the visit the. Was created by Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions various... A better experience for our users provide emergency food and essentials to hungry children and their during. Vital component of the year slow-cooked one day in advance birth of Jesus… and enjoying a feast called.!
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