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How Kenya celebrates Christmas day

Traditions of the 25th december in the african country

25-12-2022 by redazione

The tradition of celebrating Holy Christmas in Kenya has, as you can imagine, fairly recent origins.
That is, since the arrival of the first missionaries in the mid-1800s.
In African countries, the coexistence of different religious cultures and the massive presence of Catholic missions, has meant that knowledge has come together to create a Christmas tradition even in a continent apparently so distant from what we consider Christmas. 
Today, there are about 400 million Christians in Africa, although not all of them are practicing Christians.
For those who can afford it, gifts are usually exchanged at Christmas. 
However, the holiday has not taken on the commercial character of the Western world and the emphasis remains primarily on the religious aspect. In fact, the most popular gift is a new suit to wear to Christmas mass. In poorer communities, gifts take on a more practical aspect: school books, soap, cloth, candles and other basic necessities.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Christmas often coincides with the end of the cocoa and coffee harvest and plantation workers have the opportunity to return to their families to celebrate. The streets of the villages are animated by young people who sing Christmas songs and long processions of people who go to listen to the religious function, bringing gifts to the church for those most in need.  Also in Kenya there is the tradition of the Christmas tree that, however, is very far from being the classic fir tree typical of the West. The most common ornament is made by a weave of palm leaves arranged to form an arch from which are hung white flowers that bloom in this period.
Kenyans are a very cheerful and festive people, so the evening of the Eve in many countries after the Mass, takes place a majestic torchlight procession. The night is spent in the company of relatives and friends until the next day, when preparations begin for lunch, which can not miss the kid.
At Christmas it is also customary to leave the door of the house open so that everyone feels welcome. The custom is to exchange gifts consisting of food, both raw and cooked. Everyone receives much more food than is actually consumed but this abundance is considered a good omen. Many foods are eaten during Christmas lunch: pilao rice, okra soup, chicken.   
December 25th is a day of joy in which to celebrate with what the earth and nature give, in a continent where, unfortunately, too many countries have little to celebrate.
 

TAGS: natale kenyanatale africanatale watamu

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