Holiday traditions around central, west, eastern, and southern African take many diverse and unique forms. In Benin, the Igue Festival, is cited as having been celebrated for more than 1,000 years. This festival, begun by Oba Ewuare I, is celebrate by the Edo people of Benin. The symbolism of the celebration represents thanksgiving for blessings at the close of a favorable year, with participants giving thanks to the Creator. Igue is celebrated in the last weeks of December and is unique in that it is celebrated as a set of multiple ceremonies for 11 days. These ceremonies are Otue-Ugierhoba, Ugie-Erhoba, Iron, Otue-Iguoba, Igue-Inene, Emobo, Iguivioba, Igue-Edohia, and Ugieewere.
The Igue Festival is celebrated with many artistic elements, such as dance, music and song, incantations, magic, recitals, and chants. Each day of celebration, the festival is foreshadowed by the presence of the royal jester, the Akharowan. This historical figure is often seen wearing a white cap with a handbag. The Igue Festival is a powerful statement of culture and tradition, not only due to the many years it has been celebrated, but also its historical significance. In previous historical periods, the festival was originally celebrated by the Oba and his subjects in the Benin Kingdom and continues in our contemporary moment.
In South Africa, families come together to exchange gifts and hang stockings. At first glance, this Christmas tradition has much in common Christmas traditions in the U.S. What is unique, however, is the name given to Santa Claus, and the delicious foods eaten on Christmas day. Santa Clause is known as Sinterklaas or Kersvader in Afrikaans, and the foods prepared on Christmas Day may consist of roasted turkey, duck, beef with yellow rice and raisins, or vegetables. These foods are eaten along with savory desserts such as Malva pudding.
If you celebrate Christmas, you can check out the different and interesting ways to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho!
Zulu ‘UKhisimusi omuhle, uJabulela unyaka omusha’
Xhosa ‘Krismesi emnandi, Nyak’omtsha’
Sotho ‘Le be le keresemese e monate, Mahlohonolo a selemo se secha’
Similar to Christmas celebrations in South Africa, families in Namibia celebrate the holiday by preparing large feasts. These dinners contain meats such as beef, lamb, and game that is often cooked on the braai or barbecue. Desserts that can be found at Namibian Christmas dinners consist of melktert (milk tart), and koeksisters (syrupy twisted doughnuts).
On Christmas day, many Namibian people attend church services, marking the spiritual significance of the holiday. It is also common for families to gather on this day for a special meal, often featuring the braai meat mentioned above. In the capital of Windhoek, the city is said to sparkle with sparkling lights and vibrant Christmas decorations.
Uganda, like South Africa, has another word you can add to your Christmas vocabulary. In Uganda, Christmas is termed Sekukkulu, and is about people returning home to their families and communities. Returnees eat food, spend quality time together, enjoy music, and play games. Sekukkulu is celebrated on December 25th and is a large event. During Christmas, city authorities arrange for large trees to be like, and Christian choirs sing carols. If you happen to be visiting Uganda in December you can hear the carolers and people wishing each other Sekukkulu Enugi, which has a similar meaning to Merry Christmas.
For our last country, we will showcase Ethiopia, which is distinct in its cultural traditions. Ledet or Genna, as Christmas is referred to in the county, is celebrated on January 7th on the Gregorian calendar. The holiday may also be celebrated on the 29th of Tahsas, on the Ethiopian calendar. Before Christmas Day, practitioners participate a 43-day fast known as Tsome Nebiyat, or the Fast of the Prophets. During Christmas festivities, a traditional thin, white cotton garment with brightly colored stripes, called a Netela, is worn. On Christmas Eve, or the gahad of Christmas, Ethiopian people may attend overnight mass, beginning around 6pm and ending at 3am.
Together, the above countries illustrate diversity on the continent. Additionally, these traditions represent the diversity of holidays, and how they are celebrated.
Written by Jasmine Hoeffner
Research & Editorial Intern
