Christmas in Africa

Celebrating Christmas in Africa. On this day, Christmas day December 25, over 400 million Christians in Africa commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Christmas in Africa brings friends and family together for food, laughter and gifts. Christmas in Africa, Santa Claus is popular and takes many forms.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus in Africa | Christmas in Africa

Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture

12-24-2014

Christmas Africa, Santa Claus in Africa, both bring smiles to African children faces.

Egypt's Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. About 10% of Egyptians are Coptic Christians, making up the largest Christian minority in the Middle East. Baba Noel is the Arabic name for England's Father Christmas, in the United States Baba Noel is better known as Santa Claus. Africans South Africans call him Vader Kersfees while in Morocco Santa Claus is known as Black Peter.

Christmas and Santa Claus in Africa

In the Netherlands where many Moroccan expats live, the annual appearance of Black Peter or Black Pete takes on an entirely different meaning for the season of goodwill and joy depending on who you ask.

Who is Black Pete? Today Black Pete is a white person made up, wearing black face-paint and an Afro. Originally, some believe he was a 300-year-old mischievous black servant who worked for Saint Nickolas gathering naughty children into his sack and taking them away. Others believe Black Peter was a freed slave who chooses to stay and assist Saint Nickolas.

In 2015, the most common explanation of Black Pete's dark skin is soot gathered during his midnight trips up and down chimneys, delivering presents to good boys and girls. The Dutch iconic figure of Black Pete’s on parade marks the beginning of the Dutch holiday season. Many Dutch see dressing up as Black Pete, Saint Nickolas sidekick, as harmless fun.

There is a Santa Claus in Africa who has many names and traditions but no matter the beliefs or customs in Africa or abroad, may peace be your gift, love, laughter and blessings live within you all year through.

Did you know?

Here are 17 ways to say Merry Christmas in the African language.

Afrikaans- Gesëende Kersfees

Akan- Afishapa

Amharic- Melkam Yelidet Beaal

Arabic- Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah

Dutch- Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig 

Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast

English- Merry Christmas

Farsi- Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad

French- Joyeux Noel

German- Froehliche Weihnachten

Hausa- Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!

Sotho-Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse

Spanish- Feliz Navidad

Swahili- Kuwa na Krismasi njema

Swazi- Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle

Yoruba- E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!

Zulu- Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle

Merry Christmas Africa