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 communityide breakfast and dinner events, however the tradition does not include decorations or gift exchanges;

• Egypt & Ethiopia ~follows 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 including 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?