We in the United States know well the customs we observe during the Christmas season but those celebrated in Africa may not be as familiar to us. There are some traditions observed in both but there are differences as well.

One big difference is that in African nations many celebrations occur outdoors because Christmas comes during a time when the weather is very pleasant. Activities that occur outside in Africa include one that occurs for the most part outside in the United States-caroling. In South Africa Christmas occurs during the hottest season of the year and the beach and mountains play an important role in the celebrations. Families take advantage of the pleasant weather and often go on sightseeing trips in the countryside or take a relaxing drive late in the evening on Christmas Day.

A traditional South African Christmas dinner is a rich and sumptuous meal that includes a suckling pig or roast beef, turkey, mince pies, yellow rice, vegetables and puddings. A festive environment is created using decorated pine branches and fir, sparkling cotton wool and tinsel as decorations in homes and businesses.

A similar decorative pattern of using evergreen, palm trees and lighted candles are also seen in countries such as Ghana and Liberia. While these are used in homes and businesses, they are also often carried in processions and during caroling activities. While South Africans gather at the beach during Christmas time to enjoy the warm summer waters, people in other African nations often gather outside at in town squares and in the streets to march, sing and enjoy an overall feeling of merriment. Despite the seemingly general similarity in activities, however, different countries have their own individual style that makes Christmas celebrations unique.

Of all the celebrations in African nations, Christmas activities in Ethiopia stand out for their difference in when they are celebrated and how it is done. One of the features that make Ethiopian Christmas different is that the main celebratory event occurs on Jan. 7, around the time known as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day in North and South America. Given the general modest economic financial situations of a significant number of the population in many African countries, Christmas celebrations also tend to occur over a shorter period of time, compared to activities in more wealthier countries.

Many Ethiopians take part in a pilgrimage and converge on the capital city on Christmas Eve. These wanderers fill the night air with a din of praying and chanting and then create a multicolor spectacle when they gather on Christmas morning to have a religious service.

The Ethiopians retain a similarity with other African nations by enjoying a Christmas dinner that includes a meat stew. Stews, rice, root vegetables such as yams, breads and soups often are part of the menu of traditional Christmas day dinners in African nations.

All over Africa Christmas dinners are often enjoyed by families outside, where everyone shares the meal while sitting in a circular pattern under the shade of a sprawling tree, instead of sitting in a formal setting at a table.

As is the practice in most household during Christmas, Africans also exchange gifts. Popular items that are exchanged as Christmas gifts include cotton cloth, soaps, sweets, pencils and books, all very practical items that can be readily used. Giving practical gifts is related to the modest financial resources of up to half the population in many African countries, as well as to cultural norms. Individuals aren’t able to give extravagant gifts but they still want to surprise the children, family and friends at Christmas with an unexpected gift. The generally pervasive cultural norm of humility and modesty that exists among traditional African peoples, also plays an important role in not having overreaching extravagance at Christmas.
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