Christmas is observed by more or less 350 million Christians in Africa. Like Americans, Africans sign Christmas carols, gather for a nice family dinner of various roasted meats, exchange gifts and visit their family and friends.
Christmas Carols
Christmas carols play an important part in African Christmases. One would wake up on Christmas day to the sound of carolers singing the best love Christmas songs. These carolers often lead the way to the church where a Christmas service is held.
Christmas Decorations
Christmas in Africa happens during the summer months there, but they still have their pine branches and fir trees.
Similarly, children also hang up holiday stockings hoping that Father Christmas would fill these with presents. Stores are even decorated with fake snow.
Christmas Service
Christmas is marked by a service wherein Africans make the love offering. A love offering is a simple gift that they give the baby Jesus. Each one who attends the Christmas service lays down a gift at the altar near the communion table.
Christmas in Africa is mostly a religious affair. While gift giving is one of the traditions they practice, it is not the most important. In fact, most people give clothes as gift. These clothes are what they expect the recipient to wear during the Christmas service.
It is only after the Christmas service that most Christian families gather for a dinner that includes goats, barbecues, plum pudding, mince pies, and turkey, among other staples.
Merry Christmas in Different African Languages
Depending on where you are, there is a different phrase for you to remember when you want to greet the locals a Merry Christmas. In Ghana for example, it is “Afishapa”. In South Africa, you say “Geseënde Kersfees”.
In Zimbabwe, it’s close with “Merry Kisimusi”, while in Egypt, you tell them “Colo sana wintom tiebeen”!
Check out the complete list of how to say Merry Christmas in local African languages:
Ethiopia – Melkam Yelidet Beaal
Lesthoto – Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse
Nigeria – E ku odun, e hu iye’ dun
South Africa – Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle
Swaziland – Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle
Tanzania and Kenya – Kuwa na Krismasi njema
Curiously however, Kwanzaa, which is celebrated in the United States to commemorate African heritage, is not celebrated in Africa. It is an American celebration.
Send personalized Christmas stockings and other personalized Christmas ornaments to friends and family in Africa to tell them that they are remembered. Browse MerryStockings.com’s various offerings and make the right choice!
