Forget the snow, fir trees and mulled wine. Community service is also a considerable part of an African Christmas in Nigeria. A super … South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, so the country celebrates Christmas during the hot summertime of the year. Read more about Christmas traditions in Africa, e.g. Although the majority of the continent cannot afford a luxury lifestyle, gifting remains a common tradition. In places like Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Malaysia, Western customs and traditions … Many people visit churches with their fanciest clothes that they bought by saving up money for months. A decorated tree is usually one of the first decorative signs that the Christmas … Americans, like many of the world’s peoples, have developed their own Christmas traditions and observances, and these have changed greatly over time. 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. Read about Christmas and its traditions in Africa and African Christmas customs. Since every African country has a distinct way of celebrating Christmas, let us take a closer look at some of these traditions. How Do People Celebrate Christmas in Africa? 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. Those who can afford to give more help to poor communities by donating books, clothes, and toys to orphanages or churches. 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. Whether you buy them from stores or get them tailored, almost everyone arrives at church on Christmas Day rocking their new outfits. We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our website’s functionality and performance, and a better experience for our users. On the other hand, an Africa Christmas does not have a lot of those characteristics but is nonetheless remarkable. Easy to do, Santa Shoebox project is a beloved tradition of charity embraced by South Africa at large. Some Christmas Traditions in the South Africa is same as UK because of its history with UK. Despite small differences among the ceremonies, going to church is a must at Christmas. 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. In some countries like the Congo, the locals bring a gift for their church’s Communion table. Your email address will not be published. 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. They then go to home to wear festive clothes and take love offerings for Jesus to … Here is why! Whether you believe in Santa or not, giving out presents isn’t usually a major African Christmas tradition. You can also see many decorations on indigenous poinsettia trees. EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: African Safari Adventure, A post shared by Kaluhi (@kaluhiskitchen). It was created by Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa, including West and Southeast Africa.Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. Christmas … 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. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. With the traditional touch, each African country has its handmade decorative items. Putting a price on the bride. The most commonly prepared main dish consists of turkey, goat, sheep, or chicken, and side dishes range from fried rice to jollof rice, skewed beef (suya), and vegetable salads. 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. In some countries around the world, the end of the Midnight Mass signals the time to go to bed to wait for Santa. Christmas Calendars: Supporting an animal shelter or worthy causes couldn’t be easier. 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. Wonder how christmas is celebrated in Africa? Do you know how Christmas is celebrated in African countries? Church congregations play a crucial role by organizing events to visit the orphanages, adult family, and homeless homes, to visit the families and children. Christmas in Africa. In Ghana, the Yuletide festivities get started as soon as December arrives, with shops, streets and homes decorated in twinkling lights and ornaments. Special Christmas feasts. Christmas in Africa Preparation for Christmas in the Congo begins when some group is designated to prepare the annual Christmas pageant. Buying gifts is also quite rare since people cannot afford it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Christmas Day, celebrated on December 25 in Catholic, Protestant, and most Orthodox churches, is a public holiday in South Africa. Christmas was long-declared a public holiday in Africa, so all the family members can attend the dinner on this special day. The churches hold ceremonies and events during the day. Good Job making it! Other activities during love feast include singing, dancing, Bible recitation. RELATED CONTENT: Where to go to discover the real history of Egypt. In some countries like Malawi, children dance and sing while other children play traditional instruments. Recent years saw some technological advances like fake snow at store entrances. Desserts include Christmas plum pudding, Christmas Crackers, and a traditional dish called Malva Pudding, or Lekker Pudding. In the evening, large dinner parties are organized, especially for the poor who can’t afford many meals in daily life. 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 … Every Christmas Eve, South African’s gather together to sing Christmas Carols in the candlelight. The Coptic Christians in Egypt and Ethiopia actually celebrate Christmas on January 7th as they follow the older Julian calendar. Unlike other parts of the world, there is no room for a cold, snowy Christmas in South Africa. Today, most Americans blend religious and secular customs with their own family traditions… 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. Almost everyone in the world agrees that Christmas … After visiting the church, the celebration starts with a traditional Christmas dinner party. The African Christmas traditions in Madagascar is more traditional than in South Africa. Instead of expensive gifts, people usually gift each other affordable items or services. If you're… Africa travelAfrican ChristmasAfrican Christmas traditionsChristmas in AfricaChristmas traditionschristmas travel. Christmas in South Africa and Namibia. All that vitality comes to life through the festive mood of the people. 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 fact, flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and everything is alive. 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. Also, instead of saying “Merry Christmas” in Liberia, the locals say “My Christmas on you”. 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. You will hear strangers saying Merry Christmas to each other in the Malagasy language. 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. 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. Learn more about Lydia and Louisa and why they started Africa Wanderlust. Of course, there are several variations to celebrating an African Christmas, depending on if you are single, have a family, or the elderly. 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. In traditional churches in Nigeria, the church go on a short trip as a way to replicate the visit of the wise men. There are 38 countries with a significant population of Christian. Many families go camping in massive tents, while those staying in cities organize outdoor events like traditional barbecue (braai). Christmas meals are usually slow-cooked one day in advance. 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! In countries like The Gambia, a joyous parade is held after the Christmas Eve church service. 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). Christmas in Congo In Congo in Africa, a group is assigned to prepare an annual Christmas pageant. 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. It is also considered the celebration of the winter solstice in some countries. When it comes to Christmas celebration, Africa … Either way, Christmas is a time for family and merrymaking. In Ghana, the festivities start early around December 1, when shops and homes are decorated with Christmas trees and blinking lights. Boxing Day is also a public holiday in South Africa … If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.". From a camel-riding Santa to masquerade parties, here are 6 wonderful African Christmas traditions. I would love to hear your comments below! You exchange your wrapped gift with your church family and friends and establish new friendships during the process. Combined with the fact that it is a public holiday, you will see a lot of people hanging out outside. 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. In Africa, Christmas is all about festive concerts, sunny outdoor feasts and Christmas street parades. There are dance and singing performances, competitions and football matches all over the city. If you require more information please view our Cookie policy. 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 … Please let me know if you have any questions or if we could help in any way. No matter what country you visit, you will notice the significance of the church in Christmas celebrations. They also provide emergency food and essentials to hungry children and their families during the Christmas season. The vast majority of African countries are entering the hot season of the year. Most Christian households go to church service is held on Christmas morning to celebrate the birth of Christ. To compete for her hand, they beat one another up. Celebrations are still held in the Bahamas. They usually have grandparents from the countryside to be part of this special day. Boxing Day, December 26th, is also a public holiday, and a day for relaxation. In some countries, churches can organize parades as well. 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. Who needs snow for Christmas decorations? This helped me a lot. In most African countries, church services are the most important Christmas tradition. 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. These children usually receive gifts afterward. Your email address will not be published. South Africa… Compared to the previous countries on the list, Chad has the least westernized Christmas traditions. So, when African people decorate trees during this period, they are sending regards to ancient times when Ra’s birthday was celebrated. RELATED CONTENT: Eat your way around Africa and the Middle East with these 15 dishes, A post shared by BLACK FOODIE™ (@blackfoodie.co). While in Zambia, the churches hold nativity plays and locals sing beautiful carols in the streets. We all know the worldwide meaning of Christmas, on which people commemorate the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Africa is more than just safaris. There is also double celebration as Christmas falls on the end of the cocoa harvest. Christmas, celebrated by most Christians on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Church Services and Caroling. There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season that don't involve gift-giving. Have you ever thought of experiencing an African Christmas? Share with us in the comments below! You’ll also find nativity scenes, nativity plays, dance performances, communion tables and carolling. The motherland is full of rich culture, diverse heritage, unique experiences, and of course, outstanding food. You can even read about the American slave experience in the children’s story, Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade. Do you know any African Christmas traditions? Also, depending on what tribe a family is from, they will make meals from their trip. 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. There’s also double the celebration in Ghana, as Christmas falls at the same time as the end of the cocoa harvest. Either way, Christmas is a time for family and merrymaking. Through festivals like these and stories that continue to carry on, the history of the African American Christmas tradition continues for generations to come. The meals consist of chicken or pork with yellow rice. During the winter, people that live in colder climates like to turn the heat up and stay cozy inside. Matooke is an essential ingredient in the meals as in indigenous fruit that is steamed and mashed. 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. Cakes or desserts are made of lychees that commonly grow in Madagascar. A summer Christmas in South Africa. Do you know how Christmas is celebrated in African countries? In east Africa they roast a whole goat. Despite small differences among the ceremonies, going to church is a must at Christmas. The church... Dinner. Through festivals like these and stories that continue to carry on, the history of the African American Christmas tradition … On TV. South Africans agree, with their famous outdoor braais, or special barbecues at Christmas time. Common Christmas Traditions in Africa Going to Church. The Yuletide season is all about honouring the birth of Jesus and you’ll find church services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Yes, many of them have a sizeable Christian population; therefore, they celebrate Christmas. Gifts are opened on Christmas morning, followed by a relaxing, festive and abundant Christmas Dinner. 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. Senegal does celebrate Christmas despite being a Muslim dominated country. While the majority of countries in Africa celebrate Christmas on December 25th, it’s not the same everywhere. 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. Christmas dinner is a perfect opportunity for family gatherings, so African communities take it very seriously. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Your Go-To Resource for African Travel Destinations. And the food is mostly going to be traditional. 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! Instead, flowers are in full bloom, beautiful butterflies, bees and other insects are abundant, and the sun is always shining. That is not to say Christmas is taken for granted in Africa. South Africa also has several other UK Christmas traditions, because of its history with the UK. Some countries just don’t believe in a red-suited jolly man arriving on his sleigh to leave presents for the kids. 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. And in Most West African Countries, Christmas is about stews, chicken, rice, goat … The proper name for Christmas in Uganda is Sekukkulu. Christmas gift … In both The Gambia and Sierra Leone, the towns also celebrate with colourful masquerade parties. African history has an additional layer to the worldwide known account of Christmas. Africa has diverse cultures most of which are put on display in different parts of the continent during Christmas. Celebrations are still held in the Bahamas. 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. 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. The Fulani tribe live in many countries in West Africa and follow a tradition called Sharo. The church members come with gifts, food, and drink, and the choirs will perform Christmas songs in many languages like Yoruba, Fulani, and Igbo. Required fields are marked *. The love feast is a ceremony where people come as they are to eat, drink, and be merry. 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.. Typically, smaller families can celebrate Christmas day with other families. One major difference is that in South Africa, Christmas is in the middle of summer. 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. For the season, here you can get a window in to the Christmas traditions observed in Kenya that have been observed for decades … If you could choose a country to visit during the holiday season to experience an African Christmas, which one would you choose and why? No matter how inexpensive a gift item is, everyone has to participate. Christmas and gifting are two inseparable concepts, and Africa is no exception. Cultural Differences. 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 … The Gambia celebrates Christmas with a massive parade with large lanterns called fanal in the shape of boats. Egypt and Ethiopia follow the Julian calendar, so they celebrate Christmas on January 7th. Everything is brought to the table, dances, songs, dramas, and even … Christmas Celebration in the Kenya – Things which are included in festivity celebration. The Christmas traditions and customs of America are … Enjoy a new tradition and celebrate with an African Christmas! Although Chad is predominantly Muslim, they do celebrate Christmas. Although historians are debating about the actual date of his birth, the overall accepted date is December 25th. They even decorate mosques with Christmas trees. RELATED CONTENT: 9 once-in-a-lifetime things to do in Tanzania with Trafalgar. A vital component of the love feast is a gift exchange. Families can opt for making braai on the grill or cook more traditional South African dishes. On Christmas afternoon, people go to meet their family friends or plan a trip with them to play some games or have fun. You can even read about the American slave experience in the children’s story, Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade. You will barely see any Christmas trees or fancy Christmas lights. 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. But they have developed many of their own uniquely South African traditions and continue to do so. The Christmas celebration is a kind of routine every year for the republican of Kenya. In Malawi, you’ll see children going door-to-door to perform Christmas carols and play traditional instruments in return for small cash donations. Geseende Kersfees (“Merry Christmas” in my home language, Afrikaans) from all of us here in South Africa!. If this statement sparks your interest, you are in the right place. Our nation is called the Rainbow Nation because we have a diversity of races, languages (eleven to be exact) and traditions. Christmas dinner is a … The type of meal depends on the country, which we will cover in the next section. The fanals are lit with candles inside and carried from house to house to collect donations. Maybe you can bring some of these traditions into your celebration! Read more about Christmas traditions in Africa, e.g. The Christmas Tree. We can now look at some traditions practiced explicitly in some countries that have a high Christian population. Palm trees are also ideal for decorating with lanterns and bells. 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. Although Christmas celebrations in South Africa are unique, the spirit of Christmas … They also hold big musical events at their church with at least five choirs and a long nativity play. Other areas in western Africa also have some pretty cool traditions. The church ceremonies consist of carols, nativity play, and dance performances. Almost everyone in the world agrees that Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus… and enjoying a feast. In this article we shared that how Christmas in South Africa … Interestingly, children of Uganda don’t believe in Santa Claus, which is why they never expect gifts. It was created by Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa, including West and Southeast Africa. The earliest signs of Christian belief were found in Egypt in the 1st century AD. You will encounter not only the vibe of the holiday but also the culture and heritage of the country. I’m glad it was helpful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The morning of Christmas is spent at a traditional breakfast called millet. RELATED CONTENT: The 7 best experiences you can enjoy in Kenya with Trafalgar. One of the most exciting advantages of living in Nigeria is that you will get to observe both Christian and Muslim holidays since those are the two primary religions in the country. Santa isn’t a continent-wide African Christmas tradition. One of the most popular gifts across Africa is new clothes. The men must suppress signs of pain and the one who takes the beating without showing signs of pain can take the wife. RELATED CONTENT: 7 new and unique experiences you can now do in South Africa with Trafalgar. Though most friends and families do not exchange gifts, commu… You can see a list of the most popular Nigerian food during the festive season. In Congo in Africa, a group is designated just to prepare the annual Christmas pageant. When they get to the location, usually a park with a lot of open space, they start the love feast. 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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