Africa offers some of the most unforgettable travel experiences, from safari adventures, which tiourists  to see Africa’s diverse wildlife from their natural habitat. The continent also boasts some of the best geological wonders of the world, from the Sahara, the largest desert in the world to Victoria Falls, an outstanding beauty that’s also the world’s largest sheet of falling water. There is never a bad time to visit this continent, as every season brings amazing adventures, depending on the location. Beyond its usual attractions, Africa is known for their traditions, which are incredibly diverse and unique as they come.  Christmas is one of the most common traditions among many African countries and is especially a big deal in Kenya, where 70% of the citizens are Christians. Read on to find out unique Christmas traditions in Africa.

Church Services Are An Important Christmas Tradition In Africa

Going to church is one of the most significant Christmas traditions in Africa. After all, it’s a day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. And with Christianity being an important part of many Africans’ daily lives, attending church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day makes perfect sense. Church services are mostly accompanied by musical events and bringing gifts to the Communion table, but activities vary by location. In Kenya, many churches hold midnight vigil (Kesha), which involves singing hymn songs, Christmas carols, and ringing of bells, marking the birth of Jesus.

Gifting One Another

Giving Christmas gifts is another important Christmas tradition Africans practice. Gift-giving, like everywhere else in the world, strengthen family bonds, and traditionally, only kids receive Christmas gifts (usually new clothes or toys), but it nowdays, even adults gidt each other on that big day. Gifting (or donating) to churches and orphanages is a common activity in many African homes. Most Nigerian churches organize programs dedicated to supporting orphanages, homeless shelters, and poor families.

Many Family Gatherings Are Held During The Christmas Season

Christmas is a big holiday involving people traveling home from their work locations back home to spend time with loved ones. Since many families separate for much of the year, most celebrations involve music, dance, and talks are held into the night. This is when African families hold “family get-togethers,” which can mean different things, including strengthening family bonds through sharing personal experiences, sharing family history, and traditions, and gathering resources for specific purposes (like supporting a family member in need of medical assistance).

Christmas Parades

Some holiday celebrations in Africaa include parades, usually on Christmas Eve. The parades involve church members marching through the streets in colorful costumes. Gambia’s Carnival of Fanal parade is a perfect example of an African Christmas parade. The celebration takes place after a church service on Christmas Eve, where people dance through the streets with lanterns/fanals (made of paper), which are usually shaped like boats and are used to collect donations from homesteads.

Christmas Decorations

Although only Africans see snow and their Christmas trees are not the usual pine or fir trees you are used to, that doesn’t stop them from decorating them to get in the holiday spirit. They decorate a variety of trees for Christmas, including cypress, palm trees, mango trees, and thorn trees (usually South Africans). Many people prefer handmade decorations, lights, bells, and ornaments to decorate their houses. Decorations with flowers, balloons, and ribbons, especially in churches, are also common among African countries.