Christmas in South Africa

A friend in Brazil asked me about Christmas in South Africa.

In many ways it is similar to UK, but in other ways it is similar to Brazil. In both Brazil and South Africa Christmas occurs in summer, whereas in UK, it happens in winter. The climate largely dictates how people celebrate the festival, which is also the summer holidays. Both countries are much larger than UK and some families travel great distances, involving plane journeys, to see one another at Christmastime. Families in UK also travel to be together, but the distances involved are generally much shorter.

Some of the traditions of Christmas are also similar for Brazil and South Africa. Both countries make far more of Christmas Eve than we do in UK, where Christmas Day has always been the main event, although these days more and more churches are holding Christmas Eve services too.

I asked our friends Hannes and Hendriette about some of their traditions. They are Afrikaans, so I guess this will be reflected in what they told me and will be different from say, black or coloured South Africans, and even other white South Africans from English descent.

In South Africa many families gather together at the largest house, including grandparents, second cousins etc. They have what they call a ‘Christmas bed’ which is everyone who doesn’t have a proper bed, sleeping on the floor of the main room, next to each other, there is no need for lots of blankets and it is very warm.

On Christmas Eve everyone gathers round the tree (although the Christmas tree is a recent addition) where all the presents are collected together. Grandfather, or the oldest person, reads out who each present is for and who from. Then the youngest child, takes the gift to the recipient, who opens it and thanks the giver. It is a very long affair, where everyone sees everyone else’s present.

Many people go to church on the evening of Christmas Eve, including those who don’t go during the rest of the year. The churches have candlelight and the people sing carols like in UK. At Midnight all the church bells in the town ring, announcing Christmas Day. After church, people go home for a feast. This will be a cold finger buffet, called skilpadjies (skul-pikies), which means ‘little tortoise’, so called because of the size and shape, of the savoury and sweet dishes. They have lots of different koekies (tiny cookies, which are similar to our Vienna biscuits with different fillings).

On Christmas Day some people will go to church again and all the church bells will ring again, before starting the main event – which is the big braai – the BBQ with lots of meat! There’s no Turkey, or traditional Christmas dinner as we know it, just lots of salads prepared beforehand (often pickled salads which keep for days, and the meat (steak, chicken, pork, lamb, SA sausage) often marinated and vacuum packed weeks before, ready to go on the braai).

The sweets are usually cold desserts (jellies, creams, with fruit, trifle etc). They don’t have Christmas pudding, but some people have Christmas cake. They have mince pies, but also other pastry pies with jam, coconut or custard.

The emphasis with the food is preparation beforehand or dishes that are quick and easy to prepare. Most activities take place outside, rather than inside. They play games on the beach or in the garden (touch rugby, soccer, cricket and so on), play 'pass the parcel' and other party games.

The post-Christmas celebrations, with the daily braai, carry on for days, as they are now in holiday mood. Many people will spend Christmas at a holiday resort with their extended families, at the beach etc. This continues until after New Year. Many businesses are closed until well into January.

The photos I have used to split up the text above were all taken at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, our local shopping mall. I didn't walk the entire length of the mall, but I expect the same themes are repeated. The decorated mall is quite tasteful and certainly bright and colourful. I noticed an emphasis on Christmas trees, particularly in shop windows, which is curious especially as Hendriette said that 'trees are a recent addition'.

This was the post office...

...the chemist....

...the sewing machine shop... (you may not be able to make out the optical lighting strip looking like a thread, running through the display of sewing machines - very clever)

...the jewellers...

...and this was the window of the outdoor activities store...

In their other window this sand sculpture of a Santa wearing 'Crocs' caught my eye...


Now, that does remind me of Rio, where right along Copacanbana Beach sand artists appeal to photographing tourists to support their craft.

I doubt there would ever be a Christmas display in the UK like this!