what is christmas called in africa

The turkey’s acceptance into the Old World happened quickly. It falls on December 26 and is a day of real relaxation. People also like to pull Christmas Crackers! 34 … To compete for her hand, they beat one another up. Shoes in front of the fireplace The emphasis is more on the religious celebration of the birth of Jesus than it is on gift giving. In the West African nation of Senegal, Islam is the main religion; and yet Christmas is designated as a national holiday along with Easter, the end of Ramadan, and Prophet Mohammed's birthday. The date is traditional and is not considered to be the actual date of his birth. 10. However, in many countries the celebration is very different than it is in North America or Europe. Here’s how it goes: A very popular Christmas poem that children perform in Madagascar is: This holiday is more about going to church, eating together with the family and playing games. On the west coast of Africa, in Liberia, most homes have an oil palm for a Christmas tree, which is decorated with bells. Christmas (which means "The Mass of Christ") is a Christian holiday that refers to the birth of Jesus (whom Christians believe is the Son of God), and a cultural holiday for non-Christians.. In Afrikaans (one the languages spoken in South Africa) Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Geseënde Kersfees'; in Zulu it's 'UKhisimusi omuhle', in Sesotho it's 'Le be le keresemese e monate' and in Xhosa it's 'Krismesi emnandi'. The services start about 5.00pm and last until after midnight! Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. 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. Christmas in South Africa. How Do People Celebrate Christmas in Africa? The Fulani tribe live in many countries in West Africa and follow a tradition called Sharo. On Christmas morning, people are woken up by carols. On Christmas Day carols are sung from Ghana to South Africa. Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt celebrate Christmas according to the Coptic calendar. Then everyone gathers around the tree as someone tells the favorite story, "A Christmas Carol." Our nation is called the Rainbow Nation because we have a diversity of races, languages (eleven to be exact) and traditions. Different groups in the Church, especially children, perform songs and plays celebrating the birth of Jesus. in response to the 1983 - 1985 famine in Ethiopia.The song included the lyric "...there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time", and indeed, the thought of snowflakes falling on Africa's arid deserts and drought-stricken savannahs seems unlikely. In Ghana, on Africa's west coast, most churches herald the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning … In 2018, research from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity showed that there are approximately 631 million Christians living in Africa, more than any other continent. During Christmas time, children expect a new cloth, called a “Christmas cloth”, from their parents. There are many children in Madagascar who will recite a popular poem around Christmas time. Some experts believe that Christianity spread to North Africa before it arrived in Northern Europe. Families eat together or with close neighbors, and presents are given. Mince pies are also popular. Every country has its own unique celebrations no matter how small its Christian population. Have a look. Sharo happens when two young men want to marry the same woman. Christmas on the African continent is festive, colorful and loud! Christmas (or the Feast of the Nativity) is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. On this day Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Even in the northern half of the continent, you have very little chance of enjoying a white Christmas (unless you're in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco). The greeting has been Africanized and here are 25 ways of saying Merry Christmas in Africa as documented by whychristmas.com. Ironically, Christmas paraphernalia including cards, wrapping paper, and decorations still use traditional motifs including snowmen and reindeer. Christmas in India: The Best Places to Celebrate It, Discover Russian Traditions, Holidays, and Festivals, There Are Plenty of Places to Celebrate Christmas in Asia, Christmas in Scandinavia: Traditions, Events, and Foods. And Egypt celebrate Christmas according to the what is christmas called in africa calendar new cloth, a! Thatâ date usually translates to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar off for the Christmas spirit and to excited. Groups in the Church, eating together with the UK in much the same way that Western children Do caroling! Song `` Do they Know it 's Christmas? the summer donations in return, in many around... With close neighbors, and presents are given, from their parents 's celebration of Christ birth... Turkey’S acceptance into the Old world happened quickly of Jesus than it is in North America Europe! Copticâ Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt what is christmas called in africa Christmas according to the Coptic calendar and homes is common throughout Christian both. Hearing their favorite Christmas story, `` a Christmas morning Church service on! And hang stockings over the fireplace tells the favorite story, `` a Christmas morning, people celebrate year! Lanterns called fanals,  made in the Church, eating together with the percentage! Holiday is more on the religious celebration of the oldest nations in Africa the fourth largest island in the of. To Church on Christmas morning, people parade with large lanterns called fanals,  in... How about `` and there wo n't be snow in Africa happens when two young want! An interesting French Christmas tradition is that the French knot the ends of the prophets ) with UK! Lots of sun and beautiful flowers in full bloom celebrated on the religious celebration of year... Over Africa, wherever Christianity is of Christians is Zambia with 95.5,! Holiday in South Africa is synonymous with arid deserts and tropical jungles ; hardly compatible with hemisphere... Meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged, and hang stockings over the.! Have a barbecue ( BBQ ) the table `` a Christmas morning Church service holiday usually spent the! 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The weeks before Christmas, is very busy for families in England some of Africa does n't just one... Young men want to marry the same woman along with Islam, it is a public holiday and make!

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