Christmas in Africa

Christmas is widely celebrated in Africa by the over 300 million Christians who live there. Palm trees will be decorated in Ghana, Santas will be sweating in their red suits on the streets of Johannesburg and choirs will be singing Christmas carols in Sierra Leone. Shop windows will show off fake Christmas trees with fake snow (most Africans won't ever see the real stuff in their lifetimes) in many African cities.

Given the lack of resources, the commercialization of Christmas hasn't happened in many African communities. The most common thing bought at Christmas is a new set of clothes to be worn to the church service. If gifts are exchanged in poorer communities they usually come in the form of school books, soap, cloth, candles and other practical goods. In general, the focus of Christmas is around the church and food shared with friends and family after the service.

Find out more about how Christmas is celebrated in Africa and Kuwa na Krismasi njema.

_{Beaded Angel (Zulu) Christmas tree ornament -- © Marion Boddy-Evans}