As there are approximately 350 million Christians in Africa, Christmas is celebrated throughout the African continent by Christian communities large and small.
Summer Holidays in Africa
Going to church is generally the main focus of Christmas celebrations in Africa. Nativity scenes are played out, carols are sung and in some cases dances are performed. Meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged and family visits made.
Those who can afford it will generally give gifts at Christmas, but the emphasis is more on the religious aspect of celebrating the birth of Jesus and singing in church, than it is on gift giving. In poorer communities gifts usually come in the form of school books, soap, cloth, candles and other practical goods. The most common thing bought at Christmas is a new set of clothes to be worn to the church service.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. In December, the southern summer brings glorious days of sunshine that carry an irresistible invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes. This is when the South African holiday season reaches its height.
The chance of anyone enjoying a white Christmas in Africa is very, very slim, but you’ll find many beautiful varieties of cultivated and wild flowers being in their full pride.
Many South Africans have a Christmas dinner in the open-air lunch. For many more, it is the traditional dinner of either turkey, roast beef, mince pies, or suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding, crackers, paper hats, and all.
Where ever you are, we wish you a wonderful time over the Festive days and a New Year filled with joy.
