For some living in highly developed societies Christmas is a time of exorbitant expense and sheer panic. Children are suddenly acutely aware of their conduct, and parents subconsciously feel pressured to tackle pricey wish lists.
But in Africa Christmas is a little different, especially depending on the country you decide to visit.
Terry Lister's experiences and research gives the reader a glimpse into the customs and practices of more than 15 African nations, delivering an educational taste of the traditional foods and common rituals. Vibrant photographs display the cultural variety and demonstrate the ways in which unlikely communities work together to make the season a festive time for all, including the most impoverished.
There are lessons to be learned and adventures to be had within the pages of this literary travel treasure. Explore Christmas in Africa and prepare to walk away challenged on the concepts of what it really means to have peace, joy and love during the holiday season.
For some living in highly developed societies Christmas is a time of exorbitant expense and sheer panic. Children are suddenly acutely aware of their conduct, and parents subconsciously feel pressured to tackle pricey wish lists.
But in Africa Christmas is a little different, especially depending on the country you decide to visit.
Terry Lister's experiences and research gives the reader a glimpse into the customs and practices of more than 15 African nations, delivering an educational taste of the traditional foods and common rituals. Vibrant photographs display the cultural variety and demonstrate the ways in which unlikely communities work together to make the season a festive time for all, including the most impoverished.
There are lessons to be learned and adventures to be had within the pages of this literary travel treasure. Explore Christmas in Africa and prepare to walk away challenged on the concepts of what it really means to have peace, joy and love during the holiday season.
In Uganda, preparation for Christmas celebration starts as early as mid November. At this time, the radio stations start playing Christmas songs and highlighting special offers and promotions for products. These activities and other festivities will run until January 2nd. While this period is referred to as the Christmas festive season, the proper name for Christmas in Uganda is Sekukkulu. One wishes another a Merry Christmas by saying Sekukkulu ennungi.
In this time of the year, members of the family build up their expectations for special things like new clothes and new shoes for all the family. They also start to focus on the special family meals for Christmas day, family gatherings, gift sharing and evening outings for the evening of December 25th. As days get closer to 15th, poor husbands or men start panicking, as they need all the money they can get their hands on so they can buy a bull for slaughtering for Christmas. Women also seek to put some money together but the women's aim is to buy rice.
For those who are able to buy new outfits for their families, they tend to buy clothes a lot earlier and keep them hidden away until Christmas Day. This gift buying is a relatively new practice and is mainly done in the cities. Many of the people in the rural areas live in poverty, so the gifts are more practical, such as meats or vegetables grown in the river's fields. Children in Uganda do not believe in Santa Claus, which is why they never expect any gifts other than new clothes should their family be able to buy them.
Transportation prices triple during the period from December 23rd to January 2nd as many are travelling home for Christmas. Unfortunately, food prices also escalate during this period. Notwithstanding, people will still seek to find ways to ensure that they participate in the annual family reunion and all of the festivities, including having a very special meal. Sekukkulu is not about the giving and receiving of presents as it is in the West but it is about spending time with family, enjoying music and food.
Unlike other countries, the term Christmas Eve is used in Uganda to refer to the evening of the 25th. However, December 24th is the day when families will usually start preparations for their Christmas meal. In the evening of that day, the decorations are put on natural Pinus Patura trees ( these look just like artificial Christmas trees). In addition to the tree lights, balloons are put on the tree which is put in the corner of the living room.
December 25th is a big day of celebration and enjoyment. Some people will spend the day at the beach with their friends. However generally in the cities, the churches are the center of the celebrations, with the church bells ringing , carols by candlelight and other events held during the day. All family members put on their new clothes and go to church, bringing envelopes with some money to offer to church as a birthday gift to Jesus.
After the church service, all family members return home and have dinner, which has been slow cooked from the day before. The special Christmas meal is chicken, beef, rice, chapati, flatbread and matooke, a most expensive meal. Matooke is an essential part of the meal as it is indigenous fruit, East African highland bananas, which is steamed and mashed. Where possible, roasted goat meat is a well appreciated addition to the Christmas dinner. At around 8 pm on Christmas Eve, the young boys and young girls go out clubbing, while older men and women stay home and continue to enjoy time together. All over the cities there are dance and singing performances and football matches.
Unfortunately, after Christmas Day, many of the families are broke due to the heavy spending during the Christmas and they start seeking loans to get back to their place of work. Others start selling some of their valuables to get back!
Peace, Joy and Love: Christmas Across Africa gives the reader a glimpse into the customs and practices of more than 13 African nations. "This book will demonstrate that, despite the poverty and difficulty many people living in these African countries experience daily, they live the true meaning of Christmas and sincerely give thanks for what has been provided for them."
Christmas is a commercialized holiday for many points on the globe. People often want and expect expensive clothes and electronics. This book was a breath of fresh air. Some places, like the children in Uganda, didn't expect any gifts other than clothes, should their family be able to buy them. And in chapter three (MOROCCO, MAURITANIA AND TUNISIA), we learn that Christmas isn't a public spectacle. The cities don't shut down as they do in many other parts of the world. It's a typical workday for them, unlike what you'd experience in the U.S.
As with many cultures, religion and Christmas go hand-in-hand in African nations. Families gather together and pray, sing, and perform dramas. I adored the candid photos showing the citizens enjoying themselves and dancing in the streets. The images allowed a reader to enter a world you might never visit. I particularly liked the celebration outfits in Ghana. I also enjoyed learning about the different names for "Christmas" and seeing who does and doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Since jolly St. Nick is so commercialized in the states, we assume everyone embraces the man in red. In Liberia, you are more likely to see "Old Man Bayka," which translates to "Old Man Beggar." He doesn't give out presents but instead expects you to give him something. As the writer states, he teaches children the importance of giving and supporting those less fortunate. I love the message he is spreading!
I'm not an adventurous eater, but I do love watching culinary shows from around the world. It's fascinating to see what people grow, eat, and what foods they feast on during celebrations. Each region covered in the book described food that accompanied the Christmas dinner. There were some that I'd pass on, such as goat. I've had goat before, and it didn't please my tastebuds. I probably would pass on the fish stew too. While the photograph in chapter four was beautiful, I'm not a fish person unless it's battered and fried. There were several foods that I'd love to try, such as matooke: which consists of an East African highland banana that is steamed and mashed. Oh, and who can pass up a Christmas cake (Kenya)! Chicken and bread are always a yes!
Peace, Joy and Love: Christmas Across Africa is a lovely book to share with your family and class. It would make a great present too. It teaches readers about different cultures. You'll learn how to say Christmas in other languages and how other cultures treat the holiday. There are numerous images ranging from food, decorations, and celebration in the streets. Oh, the camel at the beach in Mombasa was adorable, even though I think he was preparing to spit at the camera. The nativity decorations were also quite lovely.
As I read this book, I couldn't help and compare the over dozen cities to my city. Church, food, and festivities are common themes. In the states, stores are packed with everything a person would want to eat and more; other countries do not have this luxury. Even something like chicken, an everyday meal for us, is considered "out of the price range for many families" in Cameroon.
This story is very educational, and I think all parents should share it with their children. Every school should share it with their students. It's important to teach our children about other cultures. It's important adults learn about them as well.
As you probably surmised, I 100% recommend Peace, Joy and Love: Christmas Across Africa. Get your copy today!