On December 25, all Christian communities on the African continent, large and small, celebrate Christmas. With the exception of Ethiopia and Egypt, which observe Christmas on January 7 in accordance with the Gregorian calendar
African Christmas customs now incorporate many Western Christmas customs, such as decorating trees, singing Christmas carols, and having children wait for Santa to bring them presents. Speaking about Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
He is a mythical character with roots in Western Christian culture who is rumored to deliver gifts to good-behaving children’s homes on Christmas Eve and in the early hours of Christmas Day.
The image of a portly, happy, white-bearded man we see as African children as we grow up is one of him carrying a bag full of gifts for kids while wearing a red coat with a white fur collar and cuffs, red pants with white fur cuffs, and black leather boots.
Of course, you’ll picture the same old Santa Claus, but this time he’ll have dark skin.
But one Jules Kamga from Cameroon is changing things. He has created the African version of Father Christmas. A totally different one. Why is there a black man with white hair and a gift bag there? Right? Wrong. It’s actually a female Santa Claus. And her name is not Santa Claus. Mama Tinga Tinga is her name.
She is the queen of all the children in Africa. She wears a stunning dress made of African fabrics and a headpiece instead of a white fur coat. She doesn’t have a beard. And she also has gifts.
Any African woman can be a Mama Tinga Tinga, claims Jules Kamga, who created the character. As long as she is wearing a stunning outfit, a headpiece, and a calabash filled with presents for the kids Consequently, you and I can both be Mama Tinga Tingas. Though I’m still waiting to see if there will be a Baba Tinga Tinga.
Christmas Day
The people of Ghana begin Christmas Day by donning brightly colored traditional attire and attending a church service.
This is done prior to the start of the day’s gift-giving or festivities.
They return home after the church service for the gift exchange and a Christmas dinner.
Porridge, meats, rice, stew, okra soup, and a yam paste known as fufu are examples of food that fall under this category.
Similar to how we celebrate the Fourth of July and ring in the New Year, other cultures celebrate Christmas with fireworks and parties.
These events typically feature music and dancing, some of which can go all night long!
Over 66 different languages are spoken in Ghana, so typically the celebrations will be in the language that is most widely used by the local populace.
Many people enjoy singing their favorite Christmas songs while strolling through the villages.
How is Christmas celebrated in Ghana?
Ghana celebrates Christmas from December 20 through the first week of January. This religious celebration falls during Ghana’s final cocoa harvest, which heightens the festive mood there.
In many of Ghana’s larger cities, you can see an outdoor parade on Christmas Eve that is led by local musicians. Additionally, a significant portion of how Ghanaians celebrate this holiday involves attending church services where kids perform a nativity play or other festive drama. Churchgoers frequently can be heard singing traditional Christmas songs until late at night.
You will undoubtedly hear different versions of well-known carols as well as songs you had never heard of before traveling to Ghana because the nation has more than 66 different official languages.
Those attending the Christmas Day church service dress in vibrant traditional attire. Young children then receive presents from Father Christmas, such as candies, cookies, or new clothes, before returning home for a holiday meal.
Christmas dinner in Ghana is traditionally served with dishes made of rice, chicken, goat, lamb, fufu, and other local foods.
A starchy side dish called fufu is frequently made by combining and pounding powdered green plantains, which are a fruit very similar to bananas, with the potato-like vegetable cassava. They are combined to create a paste, which is cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Christmas in Ghana
Every single one of Ghana’s more than 66 languages has its own Christmas customs, but everyone celebrates the holiday with a variety of events from December 20 through January 6.
Church services on Christmas Eve feature dancing and drumming to kick off the holiday season. Songs are typically written in the dialect used there.
If you spent Christmas in Ghana or stayed there, please share your personal experience in the comments section below.