Part twelve of a series on the history and traditions Christmas.
The previous eleven articles focused on Christmas traditions largely celebrated in America. In this last one, we'll look at Christmas traditions around the world.
Christmas as celebrated today is a culmination of centuries
of both religious and secular traditions that came from different countries
around the world. Therefore, it is interesting to look at some of the ways in
which Christmas is celebrated in these countries. The traditions examined for
each country will be examples of some of the things that are unique to that
country and which are done today, or which were once done by people in those
countries.
BETHLEHEM
To begin with, we should look at the town of Bethlehem,
which is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. The Church of the Nativity is
located in Bethlehem and at Christmas it is decorated with flags and other
Christmas decorations. A very large crowd usually gathers at The Church on
Christmas Eve to see a dramatic parade procession of horsemen, led by police
who are mounted on Arabian horses. Following the police in the procession is a
lone horseman who carries a cross, followed by churchmen and government
officials. Members of the procession solemnly enter the doors of The Church of
the Nativity and place an ancient effigy of Jesus in the church. A silver star
located deep in an underground cave-like section of the church marks the site
where Jesus was born. Another star is set atop a pole in the town's square.
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
Central and South American nations have a fairly large Christian population so
the Nativity or Manger Scene is the main decoration in homes at Christmas time.
In Mexico, a Christmas tree may also be set up in some homes along with the Nativity
scene or Nacimiento. The Christmas tree is usually a small artificial tree,
called arbolito. It can also be as simple as a branch cut from a special type
of tree or a type of shrub that is then minimally decorated.
MEXICO
The primary Christmas celebration in Mexico is called La
Posada. It is a religious procession that dramatizes how Joseph and Mary tried
to find a place where Jesus could be born. During the procession, the
participants carry images of Mary and Joseph and go from house to house seeking
a place to stay. During Midnight Mass, which is called la misa del gallo or
'rooster's mass', those in attendance sing lullabies to Jesus. On Christmas Day,
children receive gifts as well as candies that are stuffed into a piñata, a
sculpture made of papier-mâché that are hung from the ceiling. Children are
blindfolded and take turns hitting the piñata until it breaks and scatters the
candies on the floor. All the children then scamper around as they try to get
as much candy as they can. Children also receive a gift on Jan. 6 from the
Three Wise Men, if they were good.
VENEZUELA
People in Venezuela usually put out pesebres, which show the
Nativity scene, on Dec. 16. Early morning church services, called Misa de
Aguinaldo, are also common from Dec. 16 to Christmas Eve. After Mass on
Christmas Eve, a grand dinner is traditionally enjoyed.
ARGENTINA
In Argentina, red and white garlands are used to decorate
houses. After attending Midnight Mass, Argentinians have a meal, toast each
other, dance and go out to see fireworks. The meal may be roasted pork or
turkey, stuffed tomatoes, mince pies, Christmas bread and puddings. Drinks such
as cider and juice made from different fruits are used for the toast. Christmas
gifts are opened on Christmas Eve just before the family retires to bed.
CHILE
In Chile, Santa Claus is Father Christmas and is known as
'Viejito Pascuero'. Chileans use small figures made from clay to place near the
Christmas tree in a display called pesebre to show the Nativity story. The
traditional Christmas dinner includes chicken soup with stuffed potatoes, onions,
and corn on the cob. Another favorite item is a Christmas bread that is called
pan de pasqua and which is made with candies and fruits.
BRAZIL
Christmas customs in Brazil originate from the many
different ethnic groups who make up the country. The Nativity scene is called
the Presepio and can commonly be found displayed in homes, churches, and
stores. Papai Noel, or Father Noel, resides in Greenland and brings gifts at
Christmas. He is said to wear silk clothing because Christmas occurs during
summer when it is very hot in Brazil. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is called
Missa do Gallo, because the coming day is announced by the rooster and the Mass
finishes at 1 am on the following day. A traditional Christmas dinner, called
Ceia de Natal, includes ham, turkey, colored rice, a variety of vegetables, and
fruit dishes. Christmas Day Mass at Catholic churches is mainly held in the
late afternoon because people enjoy sleeping late or going to the beach after
having Christmas dinner. Christmas festivities, which include folk dancing and
singing, continue until January 6th, which is called Three Kings Day.
SOUTH AFRICA
Christmas celebrations in African nations are characterized
by outdoor activity because the weather is usually pleasant for the season.
Using palm trees and participating in processions are also characteristic
features of activities related to Christmas in many parts of Africa.
In South Africa, activities that occur outside during
Christmas include the usual caroling, but also the unusual ones of swimming and
camping. The beach and mountains play an important role during Christmas in
South Africa because the season occurs during the hottest time of the year -
summer.
Given the pleasant nature of the weather during Christmas,
families also take advantage of it by often going sightseeing in the
countryside on a relaxing drive in the late evening of Christmas Day. A rich
and sumptuous menu that includes a suckling pig or roast beef, turkey, mince
pies, yellow rice, vegetables and puddings usually makes up the traditional South
African Christmas dinner. To create a festive environment, decorated pine
branches and fir, sparkling cotton wool and tinsel are used in homes and
businesses as decorations.
WEST AFRICA
A similar decorative pattern of using evergreen, palm trees,
and lighted candles is also seen in countries such as Ghana and Liberia. While
these are used in homes and businesses, they are also often carried in
processions and during caroling activities.
While South Africans gather at the beach during Christmas
time to enjoy the warm summer waters, people in other African nations often
gather outside at in town squares and in the streets to march, sing and enjoy
an overall feeling of merriment.
Despite the seemingly general similarity in activities,
however, each country has its own individual style that makes its Christmas
celebrations unique.
ETHIOPIA
Of all the celebrations in African nations, Christmas
activities in Ethiopia stand out for their difference in when they are
celebrated and how it is done. One of the features that make Ethiopian
Christmas different is that the main celebratory event occurs on Jan. 7, around
the time known as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day in North and South America.
Given the general modest economic financial situations of a
significant number of the population in many African countries, Christmas
celebrations also tend to occur over a shorter period of time, compared to
activities in more wealthier countries.
Another difference in celebrations of Christmas in Ethiopia
is the participation of various people who take part in a pilgrimage and
converge on the capital city during Christmas Eve. These wanderers fill the
night air with a din of praying and chanting and create a multicolor spectacle
when they gather on Christmas morning to have a religious service.
But retaining a similarity with other African nations,
Ethiopians enjoy a Christmas dinner that includes a meat stew. Stews, rice,
root vegetables such as yams, breads and soups often are part of the menu of
traditional Christmas day dinners in African nations.
Christmas dinners are likely enjoyed by families outside,
where everyone shares the meal while sitting in a circular pattern outside
under the shade of a sprawling tree, instead of sitting in a formal setting at
a table.
As is the practice in every household during Christmas,
Africans also exchange gifts. Popular items that are exchanged as Christmas
gifts include cotton cloth, soaps, sweets, pencils, and books, all very
practical items that can be readily used. Again, this may be related to the modest
financial resources of up to half the population in many African countries, as
well as to cultural norms. Individuals aren't able to afford extravagant gifts
but they still want to surprise children, family and friends at Christmas with
an unexpected gift. The generally pervasive cultural norm of humility and
modesty that exists among traditional African peoples also plays an important
role in not having overreaching extravagance at Christmas.
GERMANY
In Germany, home of the Christmas tree tradition, the
Christmas tree is not seen until Christmas Eve. The tree is usually kept in a
special room, or elsewhere, and decorated in secret with lights, ornaments,
tinsels, angels, candies, nuts and cookies. It is then lighted, the presents
placed underneath and then shown to the delight of children on Christmas Eve.
In Germany, Dec. 6 is known as St. Nicholas Day when Santa visits the homes of
boys and girls. On the day before, Dec. 5, children leave a shoe or boot
outside or by the fireplace for Santa Claus. If they were good, he places gifts
and candies inside the shoe. But if they were naughty, children will find twigs
or a rod in their shoe.
ENGLAND
Many traditions in England are already familiar to us
because they were brought to America by immigrants. The tradition of sending
Christmas greeting cards started in England and is still popular at Christmas,
as well as the tradition of neighborhood caroling on Christmas Eve. Children
also hang stockings on Christmas Eve in anticipation of Santa Claus filling
them with Christmas gifts or treats. The holly, ivy and mistletoe are also used
a lot in Christmas decorations. In England, the traditional Christmas Dinner is
roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing, vegetables and roast potatoes.
Dessert consists of the British or Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. A rich,
fruit-filled Christmas cake may also be enjoyed later in the day. A tradition of pulling Christmas crackers
also goes with the serving of food on Christmas Day. A cracker is a paper tube
that contains a party hat, riddle, toy, or trinket and is brightly colored and
twisted at both ends. It gives out a crack as the contents pop out when it is
pulled at each end. Also on Christmas afternoon, the Queen broadcasts a
Christmas message to the nation, which is heard on radio and television. The
day after Christmas is also a holiday that is known as Boxing Day.
Author: Anne Jefferson
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