A Ghanaian Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner, and like many of you, we are getting ready for the holidays. However, Christmas in Ghana is quite different from what we are used to back home in the United States.

The Weather

The most obvious difference is the weather. In Ghana, Christmas falls during the harmattan season. The harmattan is a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara Desert across West Africa. This makes for hot and humid weather, so the "white Christmas" ideal is not possible. Instead of snow, we have sunshine and warm breezes. While we miss the snow, we are enjoying the warm weather and making our Chistmas white by wearing white short sleeve shirts . This is a stark contrast to the cold, snowy weather we typically experience during Christmas in the Utah, where fireplaces and warm coats are essential.  

The Nativity Scene

Another difference is the nativity scene. In Ghana, the traditional nativity scene has 14 pieces and includes some unique elements. Instead of wise men, there are kings, and one of the gifts for Baby Jesus is a stool. Krysti received a beautiful Ebony wood African nativity scene with extra African animals as a gift.  

Each of the three kings in the nativity scene represents a different region and tradition within Ghana, showcasing the country's diverse cultural heritage. The Ashanti king in our nativity scene holds a stool as a gift for Baby Jesus. Stools have huge significance in Ghana, representing authority and leadership. The Ashanti king offering a stool signifies the recognition of Jesus as a King and leader, highlighting the importance of his birth. Even the Presidential house is called the Jubilee House and it is designed to look like a stool. 

The second king in the nativity scene has gold and his short smock represents the Northern region of Ghana. The third king carries a sword and represents the Volta region. He always travels with the spokesman, who is designated as the spokesman for all the kings. We commissioned some of the extra African animals to surround the nativity scene, making it even more unique.

 

The Culture

Christmas in Ghana is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate. There are often church services, feasts, and dancing. In the run-up to Christmas, it's customary for Ghanaian Christians to fill their churches with flowers and palm branches to herald the arrival of Jesus. Many congregations of other Christian faiths will decorate a tree in the church grounds, festooning it with sparkly baubles and other typical ornaments. This festive atmosphere is further amplified by the fact that Christmas coincides with Ghana's end-of-year cocoa harvest. The successful harvest adds another layer of celebration and joy to the Christmas season.  

On Christmas Eve, many Ghanaians will wake early to start the festivities. Some people even get up before dawn and band together to sing carols, traveling from house to house to spread the news of Jesus' birth. Singers are often given small gifts from the households they visit. It is believed that the carolers represent the angels who heralded the arrival of the baby Jesus and brought the news to the shepherds in ancient times. In Ghana's bigger cities, you can also see outdoor parades led by local musicians on Christmas Eve, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.  

Christmas Day is a time for feasting and family gatherings. Unlike the traditional Christmas ham or turkey, Ghanaians often enjoy fufu and soup, a dish made from cassava and plantains, showcasing the distinct culinary traditions of the country.  

Our Christmas in Ghana

We are excited to be in Ghana on a mission for this Christmas season. For our Christmas, we are going to a hotel on the coast that has sea turtles and there is a hatch expected Dec 24^th, so we’ll be up at night waiting to see the hatchlings.  We are learning a lot about the culture and traditions here. Ross is enjoying all the new birds he is seeing, and Krysti is learning what it is like to have a full-time office job.

We attended a Senior Missionary Christmas Party that included African drummers and dancers, then us trying to repeat the dances.  After the social, we walked over to the MTC and caroled to the missionaries. See the link for videos and photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j4cTm5XpA3vobwM77

Christmas in Ghana is going to be a unique and special experience. The warm weather, the vibrant culture, and the emphasis on community and togetherness create a festive atmosphere unlike anything we've experienced before. While there are familiar elements like Christmas trees and carols, the Ghanaian traditions, such as the nativity scene with its kings and symbolic gifts, and the fufu and soup, add a distinctive flavor to the celebrations. This Christmas, we are not only celebrating the birth of Jesus but also embracing the rich cultural heritage of Ghana and the joy of experiencing the season in a new and meaningful way. The blend of Christian faith with local customs creates a unique tapestry of traditions that truly embodies the spirit of Christmas.