Christmas on the Continent

Chimney optional

Photo by D A V I D S O N L U N A on Unsplash

Do you know that it is estimated that over 350 million Africans identify as “Christian” -and although December 25^th is smack in the middle of the “hot” season Christmas is celebrated in (almost) every country on the Continent including:

• Chad ~an extremely poor and predominantly Muslim country hosts community-wide breakfast and dinner events, however the tradition does not include decorations or gift exchanges;

• Egypt & Ethiopia ~follow the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7^th;

• Gambia ~hosts massive parades of large lanterns in the shape of boats called fanals;

• Kenya ~everyone attends Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve;

• Madagascar ~hosts community-based church services, dinners, and indigenous poinsettia tree decorating events;

• Nigeria ~recognizes both the Christian and the Muslim holidays, with Christmas being spent bonding with family and performing community service to include giving food and gifts to those who are less fortunate;

• Senegal ~a predominantly Muslim country celebrates by decorating mosques with Christmas trees;

• South Africa ~hosts huge community-wide, family-style braai’s (bar-be-ques);

• Tanzania ~everyone drinks beer on Christmas day;

• Uganda ~celebrates “Sekukkulu” with candlelight church services, the tolling of church bells throughout the day, community-wide church-sponsored dance or singing performances, city-wide football (soccer) matches, and city-wide dinners to feed the poor and homeless -however gifts are not exchanged and Santa & Mrs. Clause, the Elves, and the Workshop are non-existent; or in

• Zimbabwe ~ivy is used as Christmas tinsel?

How will you celebrate Christmas?