How do they say Merry Christmas in Africa?
With over 350 million Christians living in the continent, many Southern and West African countries celebrate Christmas with massive festivities, even those …
How are countries in Africa Celebrate Christmas?
Nov 10, 2021 · 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. What is Africa’s Christmas traditions?
What do Africans celebrate instead of Christmas?
Nov 01, 2019 · That is not to say Christmas is taken for granted in Africa. 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. Although these countries do not celebrate Christmas in a conventional like in the United States or Europe, the unique and …
How do you say Merry Christmas in African?
Does West Africa celebrate Christmas? 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. What is Christmas like in Africa? Going to church is usually the main focus of Christmas celebrations in Africa.
What is Christmas called in Africa?
KwanzaaKwanzaaSignificanceCelebrates African heritage, unity, and culture.CelebrationsUnity Creativity Faith Giving giftsDateDecember 26 to January 1Related toPan-Africanism3 more rows
Do they have Christmas in Africa?
In Africa, Christmas is all about festive concerts, sunny outdoor feasts and Christmas street parades. 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.Dec 2, 2020
What is Santa Claus called in Africa?
Families put the presents under the trees, and some children also hang up their stockings for Santa to fill with gifts and goodies. Santa goes by a few names in South Africa, including Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) and Kersvader (Father Christmas) for those who speak Afrikaans.Dec 8, 2020
How do Nigeria celebrate Christmas?
Homes and streets are often decorated. Most homes will have an artificial Christmas tree. Children love to play with firecrackers at Christmas. The church choir may visit the church congregation in their homes to sing Christmas carols to them.
Does Africa have Santa?
Does Africa believe in Santa? Some countries in Africa don't believe in a fat guy in a red costume, riding on his sleigh and crawling up openings in your house to leave you presents. In Liberia, Santa is replaced by Old Man Bayka, who is also known to be a devil.
Does it snow in Africa?
African Countries Prone to Snowfall: There are really only two main regions in Africa that produce snowfall on a somewhat regular basis. South Africa and Lesotho. South Africa is the southernmost country in the continent of Africa and it is home to many ecosystems.Dec 16, 2019
Is there Santa in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, Santa Claus is generally known as Father Christmas. In some cases, people also refer to it as Pastor Blessing. The name Santa Claus is mainly known by few elites. In rural areas, and part of urban areas, the names popular to them are Father Christmas and Pastor Blessing.Dec 18, 2019
Does Africa have black Santa?
But would you imagine an African Santa Claus? Of course you'll think about the same old Santa Claus but with a dark skinned complexion. But one Jules Kamga from Cameroon is changing things. He has created the African version of Father Christmas.Dec 25, 2017
What does China call Santa?
Sheng dan Lao renSanta is known as 'Sheng dan Lao ren' in Mandarin, which translates as 'Christmas Old Man', and he is seen as a non-religious figure who lives in a fairytale Arctic Christmas Village in China's North Pole.
Is Christmas big in Nigeria?
Christmas in Nigeria is a huge celebration for all the citizens, not only those who belong to the Christian faith. A lot of people travel home to their villages and the families who remain in town, come together to celebrate and have fun.Dec 15, 2016
How many Africans celebrate Christmas?
Christianity has been on the continent since the middle of the first century, and approximately 350 million Africans are Christian. Over the years, unique holiday traditions like masquerade parties ...
What are some traditions in western Africa?
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. As much a social event as it is a religious one, Christmas across the region brings friends and family together for food, sport, and gifts.
What is the holiday of Ethiopia?
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. 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. Though most friends and families do not exchange gifts, communities gather to play games and sports, and enjoy the festivities together before returning to work.
When is Christmas in Ghana?
Christmas in Ghana is a well-deserved break, coinciding with the end of the cocoa harvest and beginning on December 1, four weeks before Christmas. Families decorate their homes and neighborhoods using lights, candles and sparkly ornaments. For most Ghanaians, it’s just the beginning.
What do people eat on Christmas Eve?
On Christmas day, most families try to have a better meal than usual. If they can afford it, they will have some meat (normally chicken or pork). The rest of the day is spent quietly, maybe sleeping after a busy and late night on Christmas Eve. For more on Christmas in the DRC, go here and here.
Who is Santa in Liberia?
Santa who? In Liberia, you’re more likely to see Old Man Bayka, the county “devil” who – instead of giving presents – walks up and down the street begging for them on Christmas Day. And instead of hearing the usual “Merry Christmas” greeting, expect to hear Liberians say “My Christmas on you.” It’s basically a saying that means “please give me something nice for Christmas.”
Where in Africa do people celebrate Christmas?
Other areas in West Africa also have interesting Christmas traditions. In Sierra Leone and much of Gambia, 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. As much a social event as it is a religious one, Christmas across the region brings friends and family together.
When is Christmas in Ghana?
Christmas in Ghana is a well-deserved break, coinciding with the end of the cocoa harvest and beginning on December 1, four weeks before Christmas. Families decorate their homes and neighbourhoods in the Christmas spirit, using lights, candles and sparkly ornaments.
Ethiopia
Ghana
- Christmas in Ghana is a well-deserved break, coinciding with the end of the cocoa harvest and beginning on December 1, four weeks before Christmas. Families decorate their homes and neighborhoods using lights, candles and sparkly ornaments. For most Ghanaians, it’s just the beginning. On Christmas Day, things really kick into full swing, starting with a family meal – usua…
Liberia
- Santa who? In Liberia, you’re more likely to see Old Man Bayka, the county “devil” who – instead of giving presents – walks up and down the street begging for them on Christmas Day. And instead of hearing the usual “Merry Christmas” greeting, expect to hear Liberians say “My Christmas on you.” It’s basically a saying that means “please give me something nice for Christmas.”
The Democratic Republic of Congo
- Christmas Eve is very important in the DRC. Churches host big musical evenings (many churches have at least five or six choirs) and a nativity play. These plays last a very long time, starting at the beginning of the evening with the creation and the Garden of Eden and ending with the story of King Herod killing the baby boys. On Christmas day, most families try to have a better meal than …
Nigeria
- From ONE member Ola Ope: “In Nigeria, we believe in Father Christmas, our version of Santa, and we light up these things we call knockouts and banga, which are like fire crackers. We always spend all the money we get/have and we cook and share food in the neighborhood.”
Western Africa
- Other areas in western Africa also have some pretty cool traditions. 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. As much a social event as it is a religious one, Christmas across...