Africa celebrates Christmas and New Year's in very different ways, depending on religion and region. In the north and other parts of the continent, Christmas is not part of the official calendar. In countries like Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Somalia, and North Sudan, this date is neither recognized as a holiday nor a national celebration.
In Nigeria, Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the south. Masses, carols, and Christmas markets fill the cities. Ghana maintains the Christian tradition. Entire families gather to share meals and attend Christmas Mass.
Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar. On January 7, known as Ganna, the faithful attend midnight masses and perform ancestral ceremonies. South Africa combines religious Christmas with family meals. New Year's is celebrated with parties, concerts, and outdoor events. Kenya observes Christmas with a strong religious character. On January 1, however, the celebration becomes more secular.
In Uganda and Tanzania, Christmas includes church services and family meals. Large cities come alive during the New Year with public celebrations. In North Africa, Islam predominates. Christmas has little significance, while the New Year is celebrated in a festive, urban manner. In Egypt, only the Coptic Christian minority celebrates Christmas on January 7th. The rest of the population participates in the festivities on January 1st.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania center their celebrations on the New Year. Hotels and squares are filled with concerts and light shows. The New Year is recognized in a very limited and secular way. West and East Sub-Saharan Africa combine both dates: the religious Christmas and the festive New Year. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania are prominent examples.
In Southern Africa, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia exemplify cultural duality: religious celebrations at Christmas and festive celebrations during the New Year. Thus, the continent reflects the cultural and religious diversity of its peoples, where Christmas and New Year are experienced in unique ways.
Source: Wikipedia; africavive.es