Christmas in Kenya is celebrated with the entire family coming together and making merry. Almost half of the population in Kenya are non-Christians, even then this festival is celebrated with much fun fare here. There are a large number of people staying in the rural areas of Kenya and therefore around Christmas, all relatives and family members from all parts of the country head towards their homes in the villages to be with their families and enjoy.
Christmas in Kenya is called ‘Krismasi’ and the religious fervor is very predominant in all corners of the country. Churches and Cathedrals are decorated for Christmas and these decorations often include balloons, ribbons, green plants and trees to pose as the Christmas trees. The trees are adorned with candles, bells and also small presents.
As it is a holiday on Christmas in Kenya, people plan several activities, ahead of this day. On Christmas Eve, traditional people sing Carols and hymns and little children dressed gaily in skirts made of leaves visit several homes singing and performing dances. At the end of the performances, they are generally given gifts and goodies often in the form of money.
People visit churches and attend the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, 24th of December. Some even continue praying for the rest of the night and attend special services and prayers in the churches. The rest, after the mass return home to feast on the Christmas Dinner – Pilau, often consisting of chicken, meat, beef, rice and also the Christmas cakes and puddings.
Exchange of Christmas cards though not traditionally common are practiced now days owing to the fact that there has been heavy commercialization of the festival, here too. People also buy new clothes for the children and often go ahead and pamper themselves by purchasing a new set for themselves too. On Christmas, dressed in their best, they visit the Church for prayers and then go to visit friends and relatives.
The day following the Christmas in Kenya is a holiday too as it is observed as the Boxing Day. Although it is difficult to trace the origins of this day, it is commonly believed that Boxing Day means to box up the remaining gifts to be exchanged in the stores and box the leftover food to be given away to the poor and the needy.
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