Christmas in Ghana, locally known as Bronya, is a joyous and vibrant celebration that extends from December 20th to the first week in January. Both December 25th and 26th are recognized as public holidays, allowing ample time for festivities. This period coincides with the end of the cocoa harvest, a time of abundance and prosperity, further enhancing the festive atmosphere.
Map of Ghana
The Festive Season Begins
The air is filled with dust and bright lights, and the dry breezes cause the nose and skin to feel chilly. In Ghana, Harmattan marks the arrival of "Christmas." A few indications of Harmattan’s presence include cracked lips and dry skin.
Many people travel to visit their relatives and friends in other parts of the country. December is also the start of the cocoa harvest in Ghana, the world's second-biggest cocoa producer. Ghanaians who labor far from home, in the cities, on cocoa farms, and in the mines, return home for the holiday to spend it with family and friends.
Church Services and Celebrations
Christmas Eve night is when the celebrations truly begin, with church services featuring drumming and dancing. Houses, schools, and vehicles are decorated with paper ornaments and crepe paper. The main celebrations begin on Christmas Eve night with church services that feature dancing, a live band, and a repertoire of family-friendly activities. Children often put on a Nativity Play or other drama.
Read also: Christmas in Ghana: A Celebration
Then choirs come out to sing and people come out in front of the priests to dance. Songs are mostly sung in the languages that the people understand best. This makes them feel that God speaks their language. Sometimes these services and dancing go on all night long! Other people celebrate Christmas Eve with fireworks and parties.
On Christmas Day, the churches are very full. People come out dressed in their colorful traditional clothes. Locals dress up in vibrant traditional attire for the Christmas Day church service. If you want to join in, you can buy a traditional Ghanaian dress or shirt at the local stores and malls. Lighting firecrackers (also known as "knockouts") occur after celebrations and gift exchanging. Parents and guardians buy firecrackers for their children to set off on Christmas night.
During the Christmas period, children's parties and employees' end-of-year parties are common. Some Ghanaians also go to Church on December 31st to thank God for sending Jesus and to pray for a good and safe New Year. Additionally, people may use that time to pray for a resolution to any problems they may have had throughout the year and to remember those who passed away during the previous year.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day people go caroling house-to-house, singing traditional carols in one of Ghana's 66 local languages. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services feature carols and retellings of the Christmas story. After church, children get small gifts from "Father Christmas", perhaps sweets, new clothes or a diary.
Traditional Ghanaian Christmas Greetings
There are many languages spoken in Ghana. People say Afishapa to one another, using an Akan (a major Ghanaian language) word that translates to "Merry Christmas & Happy New Year".
Read also: Celebrating Christmas: African American Heritage
- Merry Christmas in Dagbani is 'Ni ti Burunya Chou'
- In Akan it's 'Afishapa'
- In Ashanti/Asante/Asante Twi it's 'afehyia pa'
- In Ewe it's 'Blunya na wo'
- In Hausa it's 'barka dà Kirsìmatì'.
The Christmas Feast
Ghanaians have a big feast to honor Christmas Eve, with a special food called Fufu, as well as a soup of some kind. Fufu is typically made from ground cassava or yams slowly pounded in a mortar; not only does this create an incredibly delicious dish but it's also seen as a symbol of family bonding and the coming together of community. And certain soups like palm nut soup or groundnut soup-made with peanuts or tree-nuts-make the dinner even more festive, adding warmth and nutrition to the big event.
The traditional Ghanaian Christmas spread includes dishes made of rice, chicken, goat, lamb, fufu and other Ghanaian staples. During this time it's typical to consume four to five meals each day in addition to snacks.
Ghanaian Christmas Fufu
Gift-Giving and Generosity
Overall, Ghanaians view Christmas as an opportunity to share gifts, enjoy traditional dishes, and spend time with family and friends. Ghanaians traditionally share gifts throughout December, with the highest amount being given out on January 1. They give gifts to loved ones, clergy, coworkers, children, and family members.
Papa Bronya: Ghana's Father Christmas
Children all throughout the world are familiar with Father Christmas. His lengthy white beard and cherry-red suit are typically his defining features, but not in Ghana. Children in Ghana associate Father Christmas, also known as Papa Bronya, with a man dressed in sandals and a stunning red robe with gold trim. A white cloak with a hood and a sash with a classic pattern completes his attire.
Read also: Ethiopian Christmas Traditions
The children of Ghana might find it difficult to relate to the harsh cold of the North Pole, so their "Father Christmas" arrives instead from the tropics to play his part in the Christmas festivals. His gifts are simple - good things to eat mostly - but his outfit is very elegant. Sandals peek out from under his bright red robe trimmed in golden fabric. A traditional African patterned sash unites the colors of his outfit, and he wears a pale-colored cloak with a hood over his red cap.
Surprise your guests at Christmas dinner! Juicy, Simple and So delicious! Top 4 recipes
Christmas Decorations
Christmas in Ghana is quite colourful and decorated. You will find artificial trees adorned in homes, shopping malls, and hotel lobbies. Decorations are seen in the big towns, cities and social facilities. From the Christmas Village at a mall in Accra. The road leading to the airport. The departure hall at the airport. Decorations at the airport in Accra. The airport entrance.
A Time for Joy and Togetherness
Christmas is a special time for families to be together and express how much they care about each other. Spending your first Christmas in Ghana is an experience unlike any other. It is a public holiday in the Christian majority country. Many people irrespective of religion go out and buy new clothes, which is customary for most public holidays, or go to the beach, cinema and other entertainment venues. Religious Christians will go to church to worship, then gather with their family and community to eat.
Each country has their own special menu for Christmas. A typical Christmas dinner consists of a turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and veggies. There are also other types of chicken, roast beef, and ham you may enjoy.
If you find yourself in the region of Ghana during the month of December, know that the country celebrates Christmas from December 20 until the first week of January. Furthermore, the end-of-year cocoa harvest in Ghana falls on the same day as this religious festival, adding to the festive mood here.
Christmas is the ideal time to take a well-earned vacation in Ghana. If you need help finding the perfect holiday home in Ghana, contact us today.
| Language | Merry Christmas Greeting |
|---|---|
| Dagbani | Ni ti Burunya Chou |
| Akan | Afishapa |
| Ashanti/Asante/Asante Twi | afehyia pa |
| Ewe | Blunya na wo' |
| Hausa | barka dà Kirsìmatì |
Popular articles:
tags: #Ghana
