These African Christmas Traditions Will Make You Want To Fly South For The Winter
Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! E ku odun, e hu iye' dun! The season is upon us, and Christmas is almost here. What do you do usually do for Christmas? Do some carolling with family and friends. Cook a big Christmas dinner with a succulent turkey as the star of the show. Chill out at the beach?
We figure the last one isn't an option for all of you! In South Africa, Boxing Day - that's December the 26th - is a public holiday, and people can be seen taking in the warming rays of the sun and basking that festive glow. The joy of having hot weather during the festive season opens up so many possibilities! Here are some African Christmas traditions that will make you want to head south for the winter.
Door-to-door dancers in Malawi
Finding festive friends and family getting together to sing Christmas carols is always a treat. Wrapped up on festive garb and singing those songs we all know and love, it's impossible not to get in the spirit of things. What if they danced too?
In Malawi, they dial this tradition up to 11! Groups of young people around the neighbourhood performing dances and singing songs during the festive season - and that's not all! These creative kids use handmade instruments to make the music. Watch as they do traditional dances in full costume!
Boat parades in Senegal and Gambia
Let's be honest, boats aren't usually the first thing you think about when someone mentions Christmas, right? So you might be surprised at this Senegalese and Gambian festive tradition. Each year, many people make model boats called fanals and parade them around to celebrate Christmas and the transition into a new year. These boats are made out of bamboo and paper, and filled with lights. Watch a fanal parade go through Saint-Louis, Senegal.
All of the lights in Ethiopia
Here's something you may not have known. Ethiopia still uses the Julian calendar, so they celebrate Christmas Day on January 7th! That doesn't mean Ethiopians don't get festive however. Christmas is called Ganna in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, and it is marked by choirs and a candle-lit procession around your local church. Afterwards some people play a sport - also called ganna! - and everyone gets together to eat some traditional food. Check out this beautiful candle procession in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
Festive food in Nigeria
Nigerians sure love their food, so on Christmas, expect more than just turkey! Popular festive food could include a twist on jollof rice, and various meat like lamb, chicken, and even goat! It wouldn't be a Nigerian festive spread without jollof and pounded yam, which are also popular. Nigeria is home to hundreds of diverse groups and languages who all celebrate the festive season - if they do - in their own ways. Watch these famous Nigerian singers give a Naija twist to the 12 Days of Christmas!
Sunning it in South Africa
I know a lot of people wish for a white Christmas, plenty of snow falling everywhere. Well unless you're in Morocco's Atlas Mountains or at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, you're just not going to get that in Africa. But we think a healthy dose of bright sunshine more than makes up for it! South Africa is right in the southern hemisphere, so getting out the beachwear for some seasonal sun is the perfect way to cap off the holidays. Some people even go camping. Well, if the weather is good, we say why not? Listen to this South African take on a festive classic!
Well, we know what we're doing next year! How do you celebrate Christmas? Any unique activities or traditions? Let us know in the comments below!
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Size Guide
Women | Grass-fields
Size
Bust Measurement
Waist Measurement
Lower Hip Measurement
UK4
US0
79CM
31“
60CM
23.5”
84CM
33“
UK6
US2
81.5CM
32“
62.5CM
24.5“
86.5CM
34”
UK8
US4
84CM
33“
65CM
25.5“
89CM
35”
UK10
US6
89CM
35“
70CM
27.5“
94CM
37”
UK12
US8
94CM
37“
75CM
29.5“
99CM
39”
UK14
US10
99CM
39“
80CM
31.5“
104CM
41”
UK16
US12
104CM
41“
85CM
33.5“
109CM
43”
UK18
US14
111CM
43.5“
92CM
36“
116CM
45.5”
UK20
US16
118CM
46.5’’
99CM
39’’
123CM
48.5’’
UK22
US18
125CM
49’’
106CM
41.5’’
130CM
51’’
UK24
US20
132CM
52’’
120CM
44.5’’
144CM
54’’
Mens | Grass-fields
Size
Chest
Waist
Hips
XS
38"
25
33
S
40"
27.5
35
M
42"
30
38
L
44"
32.5
42
XL
46"
34.5
45
XXL
48"
39
48
Kidswear | Grass-fields
Age
Chest
Waist
1
20“
19.5”
2
20.5“
20“
3
21.5“
20.5“
4
22.5“
21“
5
23“
21.5“
6
24“
22“
7
24.5“
22.5“
8
26“
23.5“
9
27.5’’
24’’
10
28.5’’
24.5’’
International Conversion
Women | Grass-fields
UK
USA
EU
IT
AU
UK4
US0
32
34
AU4
UK6
US2
34
36
AU6
UK8
US4
36
38
AU8
UK10
US6
38
40
AU10
UK12
US8
40
42
AU12
UK14
US10
42
44
AU14
UK16
US12
44
46
AU16
UK18
US14
46
48
AU18
UK20
US16
48
50
AU20
UK22
US18
50
52
AU22
UK24
US20
52
54
AU24
How to measure.
To choose the correct size for you, measure your body as follow
Bust- measure around the fullest part.
Waist- Measure around your natural waistline.
Hips- Measure 20cm down from your natural waistline