Exploring 5 Christmas Traditions That Are Unique To Africans

Christmas traditions in Africa are diverse and unique, reflecting the continent’s rich cultural heritage. Here are five fascinating African Christmas traditions:

Church services and Christmas caroling: In most African countries, church services are the most important Christmas tradition, with nativity scenes, nativity plays, dance performances, communion tables, and caroling. In some countries like the Congo, locals bring a gift for their church’s Communion table.

Festive meals: Christmas meals vary by country. In Kenya, it’s all about grilled meats at the nyama choma or meat and potato stew. South Africans enjoy outdoor braais, or special barbecues at Christmas time. Tanzanians roast a cow or goat to share around the village and wash it down with home-brewed beer.

Door to door visits and ivy plant decorations: In Zimbabwe, families visit one another during the Christmas season, and homes are decorated with ivy plants.

Masquerade parties: Masquerades are a unique tradition in some African countries, where they entertain people during the festive season.

Bacalao in Guinea Bissau: In Bissau, Christmas must be celebrated with a plate of dried Scandinavian cod fish known as ‘bacalao’. This is the ultimate special delicacy that only makes it to the dining table of the larger families.

These traditions showcase the rich cultural heritage of Africa and the creativity of it’s people in celebrating the Christmas season.