What Christmas Looks Like in Africa

Christmas in Africa is a time for family, fun, and celebration, but it might look a little different depending on where you are. While many people in Africa celebrate Christmas under the hot sun instead of the snow, the traditions and spirit of the holiday stay the same. 

People gather with family, eat delicious food, and enjoy special moments together. Let’s take a closer look at how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of Africa.

Christmas in Southern Africa

In Southern Africa, Christmas happens during the summer, so it’s all about sunshine, bright colors, and spending time outside. Families gather for big meals and visit each other’s homes. 

In Zimbabwe, for example, Christmas usually begins with a church service. Kids dress up in their best clothes and sing Christmas songs they’ve been practicing. After church, families go door-to-door, visiting relatives and friends to share the joy of the holiday.

The main room of the house is decorated with beautiful flowers and ivy, and sometimes they even decorate a special tree, just like the ones we see in other parts of the world.

Christmas in Zambia – Nativity Plays and Family Time

In Zambia, Christmas is also very special. The festive season is deeply connected to religion, and churches put on nativity plays to tell the story of Jesus. You can hear beautiful carols being sung in the streets as Christmas approaches. 

On Christmas morning, families gather to exchange gifts, just like in many other countries. It’s a time to come together and celebrate with your loved ones, no matter how far apart you’ve been during the year.

Christmas Feast in Tanzania

Christmas in Tanzania is all about feasting! Families sometimes buy a cow or a goat in January and feed it up until Christmas to prepare for a big meal. On Christmas Eve, the entire family gathers to enjoy a delicious dinner. 

They often brew their own beer to go along with the meal. Church services are also very important, and many people leave their homes early in the morning to attend mass, all dressed in their best clothes, ready to celebrate with the community.

South Africa – Braai and summer fun

In South Africa, Christmas is celebrated outdoors, especially since it’s summer. Many people go to the countryside to enjoy the warm weather, or they might have a “braai,” which is a South African-style barbecue. 

They cook meat on the grill and enjoy a relaxed meal with family and friends. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is also a public holiday in South Africa, so the celebrations continue with more food, presents, and outdoor picnics.

Kenya – Big Christmas feast

Kenya takes Christmas celebrations to a whole new level. In villages, Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Families gather in large groups, and everyone enjoys singing, dancing, and celebrating around a fire. 

The meals are hearty and delicious, with meat stew, vegetables, and chapati (a type of flatbread) making up the Christmas feast. Goat or cow meat is often grilled on the fire, adding to the festive atmosphere. It’s a time for the whole community to come together and enjoy the holiday.

Egypt – Unique Christmas celebration

In Egypt, Christmas is celebrated a little differently. Most Egyptians who celebrate Christmas are Christians from the Coptic Orthodox Church. They follow a special calendar, so they celebrate Christmas on January 7th instead of December 25th. 

For 43 days before Christmas, they observe Advent by fasting, which means they don’t eat certain foods. On Christmas Eve, they attend a late-night church service that goes into the early morning hours. 

After the service, they break their fast with a huge feast, filled with meats, eggs, and all the things they missed during Advent. It’s a joyful occasion that brings family and friends together for fun, food, and laughter.

Bringing Africa’s Christmas spirit to you

Even if you can’t be in Africa for Christmas, you can still bring some of the holiday spirit into your home. Try cooking an African Christmas dish with your family, like Egyptian Kahk (a sweet cookie) that is enjoyed on Christmas morning. 

This could be a fun way to start a new tradition and make your own unique holiday memories.

Christmas in Africa is a time of joy, family, and rich traditions. Whether it’s the delicious food, the fun celebrations, or the time spent with loved ones, each country has its own special way of making the holiday unforgettable. So, no matter where you are, you can feel the festive spirit of Africa!