How Christmas Is Celebrated In South Africa
The observance of christmas around the world varies by country.
How christmas is celebrated in south africa. However in many countries the celebration is very different than it is in north america or europe. The day of christmas and in some cases the day before and the day after are recognized by many national governments and cultures worldwide including in areas where christianity is a minority religion. Christmas day on december 25 is one of the most festive christian holidays in many countries around the world. Although christmas in south africa is has marked differences from christmas in the rest of the world the actual celebrations and festive spirit are pretty similar.
Instead flowers are in full bloom beautiful butterflies bees and other insects are abundant and the sun is always shining. Although christmas celebrations in south africa are unique the spirit of christmas remains the same. Read more about christmas traditions in africa e g. The city slows down dramatically from around december 16 each year until early january with the shopping frenzy tapering off between christmas day and new year s day when locals take a break often heading for the coast or to family in other provinces.
The christmas is celebrated on 25th december in south africa and it is observed as national holiday. Christmas in south africa and namibia. Christmas day celebrated on december 25 in catholic protestant and most orthodox churches is a public holiday in south africa. Coptic christians in ethiopia and egypt celebrate christmas according to the coptic calendar.
South africa holidays 2021. No matter how solemn their intention they are regarded by most as shopping extravaganza days. South africa holidays 2020. During this time period it is summer there because the country is located at south hemisphere.
For those spending their first christmas in south africa here is our guide to the festive season south african style. On this day christians commemorate the birth of jesus christ in bethlehem. South africa holidays 2020. South africa holidays 2021.
On christmas day carols are sung from ghana to south africa. Christmas eve which is the day before christmas day is celebrated in many countries worldwide it is a christian observance that falls on december 24 in the gregorian calendar. In some non christian areas periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration e g. The date is traditional and is not considered to be the actual date of his birth.
Unlike other parts of the world there is no room for a cold snowy christmas in south africa. In others christian. Meats are roasted gifts are exchanged and people travel far and wide to visit family.