People celebrate and party like there is no tomorrow and the strange thing is if you are in Kenya you will get only living things like goat, hens, etc. It is Christmas time again and in Swaziland we celebrate Christmas too…BUT we do it very different than in America. Though in the urban centres folks go to restaurants and bars to relish their favourite drinks, in the rural areas people generally prepare gallons of their local drink, which is relished as families reunite. With more than 3000 ethnic groups and some 2000 different languages, the African continent is the very embodiment of cultural diversity. If parents can afford presents for the kids, it will usually be practical items, books or new clothing for appearing church. Subscribe, Join the conversation Share your thoughts, Enter Email Address The Christmas celebration is a kind of routine every year for the republican of Kenya. Consequently it is common to catch families going on shopping binges a few days before the Christmas-day. 26 Dec Boxing Day. Christmas in Kenya is considered one of the biggest festivities of the year. After visiting the church, the celebration starts with a traditional Christmas dinner party. So I think the answer must be yes, Kenya does celebrate Christmas (and Good Friday and Easter Monday) so by … Your email address will not be published. Kenya holidays 2021. Harvest celebrations fall during various times of the year depending on the country and when their harvest takes place. Some countries celebrate on Christmas Day, or December 25th, while others celebrate the day before or the day after. It celebrates Jesus' birth. Nairobi's pretty grim at Christmas as everyone goes away but since you will be in the Mara and then at the coast you're bound to have a great time. How to Celebrate Christmas in Kenya It’s usual to attend church on Christmas day and everyone, exclusively the kids, attires new clothes for the juncture. Save. Christmas in Kenya is considered one of the biggest festivities of the … considered luxurious under regular-situations. Just before Christmas, bazaars are filled with public buying and selling chickens, pigs, goats and several other foodstuffs for the holidays. The Biggest Festivity In Kenya. If you’re spending Christmas in Ethiopia, you’ll have to wait a little longer than December 25, as most people follow the ancient Julian calendar and celebrate the holiday on January 7. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. December 25 Christmas Day: December 26 Boxing Day (Utamaduni Day in Kenya) December 31 New Year's Eve With more than 80 percent of the population in Liberia practicing Christianity, the Advent season and Christmas are celebrated by families around the country. Be on the lookout for that. Those among Kenya’s 45 million people who do partake of Christmas festivities, for the most part, do it with a deep sense of religious conviction and with a strong commitment to renewing family ties. When you walk into the grocery store, the Santa (statue) has shorts on and is standing with a surfboard because Christmas in Swaziland is in the summer AND IT IS HOT! Jamhuri Day, also called Independence Day, one of the most important national holidays in Kenya, observed on December 12.The holiday formally marks the date of the country’s admittance in 1964 into the Commonwealth as a republic and takes its name from the Swahili word jamhuri (“republic”); December 12 is also the date when Kenya obtained its independence from Great Britain in 1963. This snowy region in Himachal Pradesh is best for the Christmas Celebrations in India. In Kenya, there is a figure, similar to Santa, referred to instead as Father Christmas. Kenya holidays 2022. Christmas Decorations. Plenty of stories focus … Most lodges and hotels put on something festive, even if it is low-key, including Christmas trees and Christmas menus. Christmas in Kenya – Holiday and festival; Same like other nations Christian republican of Kenya also celebrates the birth of Lord Jesus Christ on 25th December every year. The preparations start at the beginning of December. Kenya holidays 2022. Submit, December 25, 2016 at 08:00 am | Uncategorized. Is Christmas Day a Public Holiday? The following days are observed as public holidays in Kenya. But living abroad is embracing our differences.. Christmas is who you spend it with and not what you do. Others put up the tree and decorate it closer to Christmas. For the season, here you can get a window in to the Christmas traditions observed in Kenya that have been observed for decades and won’t be going away anytime soon. Decorating shop fronts, trees, churches, and homes is common throughout Christian communities in Africa. Churches and houses are decorated with flowers, green leaves, balloons and storefronts in the superior-cities are covered in bogus-snow. The costal hotels celebrate with decorations, special festive menus, additional entertainment and a visit from Santa. You may see fake snow decorating store fronts in Nairobi, palm trees laden with candles in Ghana, or oil palms loaded with bells in Liberia. For the season, here you can get a window in to the Christmas traditions observed in Kenya … On Easter Sunday you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the grave and on Easter Monday you remember the return of Jesus Christ to Earth for 40 days. 5. Allowing kids to do such deeds brings happiness and generosity in their hearts, and they get to know the value of food, shelter, and love which some unfortunate ones do not get. The preparations start at the beginning of December. Of course, there are several variations to celebrating an African Christmas, depending on if you are single, have a family, or the elderly. Back to the Village. Companies hold Christmas sales and sell items at a reduced price. Nine places to celebrate the Christmas holidays in Nairobi. 1. He is also an avid blogger, political commentator and human rights crusader. Christmas celebrations around the world can vary greatly in Christmas traditions for many countries involve setting up a Christmas tree with lights, hanging Advent wreaths and stockings, candy canes, and setting out cookies and milk. Either way, Christmas is a time for family and merrymaking. Count down to the New Year no matter where you are in the world.. Is New Year's Eve a Public Holiday? Christmas in Kenya is considered one of the biggest festivities of the year. Millions of litters of liquor are also sunk throughout this season. After visiting the church, the celebration starts with a traditional Christmas dinner party. The religious part of Christmas is stronger in Kenya, most people go to church this day. Kenyans appreciate Christmas but don’t celebrate with such gusto. Decorating shop fronts, trees, churches, and homes is common throughout Christian communities in Africa. In adding there will be chapati, a fresh parched African even bread. F or most city dwellers in Kenya, Christmas offers them a perfect opportunity to visit their folks in the countryside. On the Christmas Eve, maximum churches in Kenya clasp night vigils as congregations rejoice the birth of Jesus Christ. An inordinate deal of food is ready counting nyamachoma, baked meat, generally goat or moan and occasionally chicken. The first place you should look is online. Save. If parents can afford presents for the kids, it will usually be practical items, books or new clothing for appearing church. People used to organize big feast where they used to serve roast goat, chicken, etc. In Kenya, there are several unique Christmas traditions that have been observed for decades and don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. A Japanese strawberry shortcake is light and spongy with whipped cream filling and frosting, which is much less sweet… Required fields are marked *, Christmas In Kenya, Celebration & Traditions Of Christmas In Kenya, Same like other nations Christian republican of Kenya also celebrates. 9 years ago. Despite being celebrated by Christians only, the spirit is spread to other religions, so the union is greater in these special dates and the spirit of community takes over. Many Kenyans attend church services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There are some awesome festivals around the world and these look fantastic!. Enter email address to receive updates from Face2face Africa Christmas celebrations typically begin on Christmas Eve with Christmas caroling. Churches and houses are decorated with flowers, green leaves, balloons and storefronts in the superior-cities are covered in bogus-snow. I also sponso a child in Kenya. Thanks for posting this. 9 years ago. Search For most city dwellers in Kenya, Christmas offers them a perfect opportunity to … In accumulation, neighbors bead in for a visit on Christmas day to taster the Christmas fare. Retailers … Those among Kenya’s 45 million people who do partake of Christmas festivities, for the most part, do it with a deep sense of religious conviction and with a strong commitment to renewing family ties. Some countries celebrate on Christmas Day, or December 25th, while others celebrate the day before or the day after. The events are mainly-spiritual in nature, including church services,nativity and carolling performances. Christmas: Africans celebrate Christmas by meeting with family, eating a lot and traveling. 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Consequently it is common to catch families going on shopping binges a few days before the, Merry Christmas Wishes For Father, Christmas 2020 Quotes & Messages For DAD, Inspirational Christmas Thoughts 2020, Merry Christmas Thought, Funny Happy Xmas Thoughts, Merry Christmas Images, Christmas Pictures 2020, Happy Xmas HD Photos For Whatsapp & Facebook. I have also been on safari on Christmas day and the lodge was decorated, roast turkey was served for dinner and Santa paid a visit. Christmas celebrations around the world can vary greatly in Christmas traditions for many countries involve setting up a Christmas tree with lights, hanging Advent wreaths and stockings, candy canes, and setting out cookies and milk. Traditionally referred to as Ganna, an Ethiopian Christmas typically As you celebrate the Easter holidays, you will be able to do it with understanding because you know the significance of each day in the Easter period. To celebrate “Krismasi” (Christmas in Swahili) with family, large numbers of Kenyans travel back from the cities to more rural areas. Christmas Celebration in Zambia. To celebrate “Krismasi” (Christmas in Swahili) with family, large numbers of Kenyans travel back from the cities to more rural areas. Hayden shares the 7 top African celebrations and festivals, spanning the continent from Kenya to Egypt, Zanzibar to Chad – pack your bags! He worked as a web content writer for various local and international corporations including 4 Wheel Online, Web Partner Group, Wedding Services Kenya, and Decadent Daylilies. Fredrick is a Kenyan journalist with years of experience in freelance writing. You may see fake snow decorating store fronts in Nairobi, palm trees laden with candles in Ghana, or oil palms loaded with bells in Liberia. https://www.thedouglasreview.com/a-kenyan-christmas-celebration Typically, smaller families can celebrate Christmas day with other families. Many people, especially Christians, will go to a Midnight Church Service to celebrate Christmas. Christmas Day, on December 25, is one of the most festive Christian holidays in many countries around the world. It’s usual to attend church on Christmas day and everyone, exclusively the kids, attires new clothes for the juncture. Read Christmas stories with your family to enjoy quality time with each other. Families get together to join services then relish a banquet, generally of roasted goat. Face2Face Africa is black owned and operated. Kenya holidays 2021. It is a tradition for families to get together and feast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Decorations. When the Christmas service ends, they return home to break their fast with big Christmas feasts. Christmas Day is spent eating Nyama Choma (BBQ) and partying with family and friend. Despite being celebrated by Christians only, the spirit is spread to other religions, so the union is greater in these special dates and the spirit of community takes over. There are approximately twelve nationally recognized Public holidays celebrated in the Republic of Kenya, a country in East Africa. Submit, © 2011- 2021 Pana Genius. Catholic churches usually ring bells at twelve o’clock to mark the birth of Christ, though congregations’ optimism and chant praise songs to mark the twitch of the much-anticipated day. They … Jamhuri Day, marks the date of Kenya's establishment as a republic on December 12, 1964. in gift. The lack of cold weather and festivity makes it the one time of year when I really miss being home. Certain churches even go to the degree of performing the entire story of the birth of Christ. On Christmas Eve, January 6th, Coptic Christians attend a special church service, which normally starts around 10 pm and concludes shortly after midnight, but some last until dawn. Typically, smaller families can celebrate Christmas day with other families. The traditional order of celebrations are guided by the ecclesiastical calendar; however, most parishes will hold Midnight Mass or nativity services on the Sunday closest to Christmas instead of on… Christmas in Kenya is kind of an opportunity for the poor people or people of rural area to eat special foods that are else considered luxurious under regular-situations. Boxing Day in Australia is the equivalent of Black Friday in the United States. But where did they buy them from and does it have to be a real tree? Christmas dinner is habitually a barbecue with members of family roving from far away to be collected again. Nine places to celebrate the Christmas holidays in Nairobi. Re: Christmas in Kenya. New year’s: the New year’s Eve and New year’s holiday marks the end of the Christmas festivities for most Africans. The service will have Christmas hymns, carols & songs; and often nativity plays (showing the Christmas Story), poems & dances. People living in the towns will also have an unusual Christmas cake; a delicacy that is not accessible in the villages. Just before Christmas, bazaars are filled with public buying and selling chickens, pigs, goats and several other foodstuffs for the holidays. Generally, this time of year is when various rites of passage ceremonies take place – including circumcisions, and/or Christmas celebrations, and/or Family Day, and/or Ramadan (if it falls in December). I want to know more about Kenya and the daily life for most people there. The events are mainly-spiritual in nature, including church services,nativity and carolling performances. 25 Dec Christmas Day. All Rights Reserved. Boxing Day. People used to travel their native place or villages from town and the traffic during the Christmas season becomes a nightmare in Kenya because everyone is travelling. Christmas Day is a public holiday. Christmas in Kenya is kind of an opportunity for the poor people or people of rural area to eat special foods that are else. He is in a village on the eastern side of the country, but I can imagine that some of his experience may be similar. In Kenya, Santa doesn't arrive with his Reindeer but might well come by Land-rover, Camel or even a bike! While the Christmas season provides Christians with the opportunity to reflect and remember the birth of Jesus Christ, other people use the holiday as an opportunity to tour the world and catch up with friends and relatives. Back to the Village. Either way, Christmas is a time for family and merrymaking. The night vigil, locally identified as “Kesha,” is keenly expected by the young people. 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