Celebrating Christmas, the Ghanaian Way

*Christmas told by our Ghana Staff*

Christmas is here again and the usual hustle and bustle can be seen through every corner of the country. The usual dryness in weather which is the Harmattan season is already in the atmosphere. The city lights, shopping sprees, and decorative pieces, dotted around the country are a sight to behold. Every year, Ghanaians celebrate Christmas with lots of activities depending on the regions they find themselves in. Christmas presents the opportunity for people to travel back home to visit family and friends. In certain instances, families get the rare privilege to receive friends and loved ones who have traveled outside Ghana for greener pastures back home to celebrate the yuletide together. ?In Ghana, over 66 languages are spoken and all these language groups have their traditions and customs.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve popularly known as 24th Night marks the beginning of the festive season in Ghana. Except for people working in essential services like health and security agencies, most businesses and organizations give workers their Christmas break with some juicy bonuses for the season. The Christmas break comes with its excitement as party lovers spend the 24th night at pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, and other recreational centers including outdoor musical concerts. Different people celebrate Christmas Eve with fireworks and parties. People who are fascinated with holidays outside their jurisdiction will also begin their journey to their various hometowns or a tourist destination to spend the holidays.

For the religious ones, churches serve as a place of comfort. Many churches organize a night of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas eve. Christians in Ghana believe that the wonderful mystery of God’s coming among men, fully human, foretold by the prophets and born of Mary, is re-lived during the 24th-night church service.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The Christmas celebration begins with Church services full of drumming and dancing. On Christmas Day, the Churches are full. According to the 2021 population census, Christianity is the largest religion in Ghana, with 71.3% of the country's population being members of various Christian denominations. Most Ghanaian Christians belong to Protestant denominations, especially Pentecostalism.

It is a merry-making season, and fashion is not left out of the celebrations. It is a time when most individuals lavish their yearly savings to buy new clothes or sew the most beautiful or expensive dresses for the season. A walk through the streets shows both children and adults beautifully clad in their colorful traditional and contemporary clothes. Children often put on a Nativity Play, choreography, or drama to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ. Church choirs sing various popular hymns and praises amidst dancing. The choirs sing in different languages the congregants understand best.

After the church activities come family and friend get-togethers, it is also a time when families meet to discuss issues of mutual interest and also exchange gifts. Chicken is the most popular meat for the festive season. It is usually the most patronized meat used for Christmas meals. Those who have the financial muscle also go in for either a goat or ram for their meals. During Christmas, children get the opportunity to eat their favorite meals like jollof rice and chicken. Depending on the financial status of the home, other families settle for local dishes like fufu and palm nut, groundnut, or light soup, but not without chicken.

The remaining time for the day is for children's parties, employees' end-of-year parties, and so on. These parties are often held in hotels, beaches, school parks, and community centers. If you are thinking of a vacation during this season or yuletide, look no further. Visit Ghana and unusually experience Christmas.