African Christmas Songs
For those who think Christmas is celebrated only in European
countries then think again. Unlike the snow white pictures always
printed on postcards, Christmas in Africa is completely a different
celebration all together. True it's about the birth of Jesus but
that's about as similar as Christmas in Africa comes to the one the
world over. Below is an insight to the diversity of Christmas
period in many African countries.
The festive season is announced by the numerous Christmas carols
along many radio and TV stations. Some common others strange but
all are cupped as Christmas carols. The outstanding fact is the
ideology of Christmas implanted in the minds of African people.
During such celebrations, people are expected to go back to their
ancestral homes to have a reunion with all their relatives that are
scattered across the country. So Christmas is more of a massive
reunion of relatives as opposed to family centered celebrations in
America and Europe.
Most of their carols don't speak about Santa clause on his sleigh
and his famous reindeer; they don't speak about the multiple gifts
expected nor do they comprise of the organ tunes but rather drums.
As long as someone buys a new dress of pair of trousers, their
Christmas is complete. Such a situation in the western world is
unheard of. The ideal Christmas involves having a big luncheon
which may comprise of chicken, beef, rice, banana plantain other
African dishes and drinks. The men then seal the day off by
gathering for a beer party.
So for many of our western world friends Christmas in Africa would
be like Christmas in summer time. Imagine setting up your Christmas
tree when the temperature outside is about 41degrees Celsius, no
Santa clause and most unimaginable no gift boxes with shiny
wrappers at the foot of the Christmas tree. One thing for sure is
that their Christmas carols have a lot or rhythm to them and you
will find it hard to avoid dancing to them even though you won't be
having the least of ideas of what you are dancing to.
So Christmas carols are not only sang in the western world but
also all over the world, with different instruments, in different
languages and with different values attached to it.
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