The history of Christianity in Africa dates back to the 1st century. Along with Islam, it is one of the two most widely practiced religions on the African continent. In 2000, there were an estimated 380 million Christians in Africa, with studies suggesting that that figure is likely to double by 2025. As a result, Christmas is celebrated throughout the African continent by Christian communities both large and small.
On Christmas Day carols are sung fromGhana to South Africa. Meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged and people travel far and wide to visit family. The Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Egyptcelebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar - which means that although they celebrate on December 25th, that date usually translates to January 7th on the Gregorian calendar. Kwanzaa (the celebration of African heritage observed in the United States and often associated with the festive season) is not celebrated in Africa. And unless you're in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, you have very little chance of enjoying a white Christmas.
Even in some of Africa's predominantly Muslim countries, Christmas is still recognized as a secular celebration. In the West African nation ofSenegal, Islam is the main religion - and yet Christmas is designated as a national holiday. This Mail & Guardian article shows how Senegalese Muslims and Christians have chosen to unofficially celebrate each other's holidays, laying the foundation for the country's famous atmosphere of religious tolerance.
Church Services and Caroling
Going to church is usually the main focus of Christmas celebrations in Africa. Nativity scenes are played out, carols are sung, and in some cases dances are performed.
In Malawi, groups of young children go door-to-door to perform dances and Christmas songs to the accompaniment of homemade instruments.
They receive a small monetary gift in return, in much the same way that Western children do when caroling. In many countries, processions take place after a church service held on Christmas Eve. These are often joyous occasions of music and dance. In The Gambia, for example, people parade with large lanterns called fanals, made in the shape of boats or houses. Every country has its own unique celebrations no matter how small its Christian population.
Christmas Dinner
As in most Christian cultures, celebrating Christmas dinner with friends and family is a key festive ritual in Africa. In most countries, Christmas is a public holiday and people make the most of the opportunity to visit family and friends. In East Africa, goats are purchased at the local market for roasting on Christmas Day. In South Africa, families typically braai; or salute their colonial British heritage with a traditional Christmas dinner complete with paper hats, mince pies and turkey. In Ghana, Christmas dinner is not complete without fufu and okra soup; and in Liberia rice, beef and biscuits are the order of the day.
Gift Giving
Those who can afford it will generally give gifts at Christmas, although the holiday is not nearly as commercial in Africa as it is in Europe or North America.
The emphasis is more on the religious celebration of the birth of Jesus than it is on gift giving. The most common gift bought at Christmas is new clothes, usually intended to be worn to church. In rural Africa, few people can afford frivolous gifts or toys, and in any case, there are not many places to buy them. Therefore, if gifts are exchanged in poorer communities they usually take the form of school books, soap, cloth, candles and other practical goods.
Christmas Decorations
Decorating shop fronts, trees, churches, and homes is common throughout Christian communities in Africa. You may see fake snow decorating store fronts in Nairobi, palm trees laden with candles in Ghana, or oil palms loaded with bells in Liberia. Of course, the evergreen firs and pines favored in the West are hard to come by in Africa, so Christmas trees are usually replaced by native or synthetic alternatives.
How to Say Happy Christmas in Africa
In Akan (Ghana): Afishapa
In Shona (Zimbabwe): Muve neKisimusi
In Afrikaans (South Africa): Geseënde Kersfees
In Zulu (South Africa): Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle
In Swazi (Swaziland): Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle
In Sotho (Lesotho): Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse
In Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya): Kuwa na Krismasi njema
In Amharic (Ethiopia): Melkam Yelidet Beaal
In Egyptian Arabic (Egypt): Colo sana wintom tiebeen
In Yoruba (Nigeria): E ku odun, e hu iye' dun
In Shona (Zimbabwe): Muve neKisimusi
In Afrikaans (South Africa): Geseënde Kersfees
In Zulu (South Africa): Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle
In Swazi (Swaziland): Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle
In Sotho (Lesotho): Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse
In Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya): Kuwa na Krismasi njema
In Amharic (Ethiopia): Melkam Yelidet Beaal
In Egyptian Arabic (Egypt): Colo sana wintom tiebeen
In Yoruba (Nigeria): E ku odun, e hu iye' dun
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