Travelers, for its rich history, colorful and ethnic customs & traditions and festivals that are so unique to the place best visit the African continent. However there are a few festivals and events that harmoniously coexist with the ethnic ones that it is indeed an experience to witness this synchrony. One such festival, which is observed here like as in the other parts of the world, is the Christmas in Africa. Holding much reverence in the hearts of the natives, the Christmas traditions have been long observed here. History maintains that the spiritually inclined people of Africa have been celebrating Christmas since the advent of the 1st Century AD when Christianity reached the African surface. Since then it has been a much-valued festival for not only the odd 350 million Christians but also the other religious and ethnic groups living here.
Christmas in Africa is celebrated differently in the different countries. Each has traditions and rituals specific and distinct to the area it belongs to. The Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt celebrate Christmas on the 7th January owing to a different calendar that they follow. The Ethiopian Christmas is called the ‘Ganna’ and a colorful procession in the morning to hold a service is the highlight of the celebrations here, which is attended by one and all.
For the Egyptians, Christmas has a very different meaning because of the association of this place to the brief halt the ‘Holy Family’ made along with Infant Jesus. Therefore they have special regards for the festival. They fast for some time and break this fast with ‘Fatta’, a meal consisting of primarily rice and meat, after the Church service is over on the Christmas Day.
For the rest of Africa it is the 25th of December that marks the Christmas Day here. Christmas in Africa nevertheless has a more religious connotation to it than fun. Carol singing and visits to the church for service and mass accompany the celebrations here.
Decoration of Churches, public places and homes and feasting is however highly practiced in all parts of the continent to mark Christmas in Africa. While in Ghana the festive meal is incomplete without ‘Fufu’ and the ‘Okra soup’, rice and beef complete the lavish spread of delicacies in Liberia. Yet in Zimbabwe, bread, jam and tea generally accompany the other tasty food items served.
Travel.mapofworld offers online information on Christmas in Africa. For more information, visit Travel.mapofworld
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