CHRISTMAS

I N D O N E S I A v s A F R I C A
 Christmas

Christmas

• Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ.

• The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A
Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist)
is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then
came back to life.

• The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December

25th was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor
Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor).
 Christmas

St. Nicholas

• It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in

Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey.

• St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he

gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside
helping the poor and sick.

• Over the course of many years, Nicholas’s popularity spread and

he became known as the protector of children and sailors.

• His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death,

December 6. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make
large purchases or to get married.

• In the 16th Century in northern Europe, after the reformation, the

stories and traditions about St. Nicholas became unpopular.

• But someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, so

in the UK, particularly in England, he became 'Father Christmas’.
 Christmas in

Indonesia

• Christmas trees are normally artificial (Plastic).

• Biggest producers of the ‘Real’ trees are in Puncak.

• Santa Claus is very popular and is called ‘Sinterklass’, because Indonesia

used to be ruled by the Netherlands.

• In the North Sumatra, an animal is sacrificed to celebrate Christmas.

• In Flores, homemade bamboo fire crackers are lit up in celebration of

Christmas.

• Wayang kulit show in Jogjakarta.

• Rabo-Rabo tradition in Jakarta (done alongside keroncong music).

 Christmas in

Africa

• Coptic Christians, in Ethiopia celebrate Christmas according

to the Julian calendar. So although they celebrate on December 25th,
that usually translates to January 7th on the Gregorian calendar.

• In Ghana, the festivities start early around December 1.

• In Malawi, groups of young children go door-to-door to perform dances

and Christmas songs to the accompaniment of homemade instruments.

• In Liberia, Santa is replaced by Old Man Bayka, who is also known to be a devil.
Old Man Bayka is not here to give out the things you’ve wanted for the past year,
he is all about begging you for presents instead.

• In Nigeria, Santa is substituted for Father Christmas.

 Christmas

References

• https://www.demandafrica.com/travel/christmas-in-africa-traditions/

• https://www.demandafrica.com/travel/christmas-in-africa-traditions

• https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/south_africa.shtml

• https://www.tripsavvy.com/celebrating-christmas-in-africa-1454479

• https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/indonesia.shtml

• https://factsofindonesia.com/facts-about-christmas-in-indonesia

• https://suneducationgroup.com/en/news/unique-traditions-of-christmas-celebration-in-indonesia/

• https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/santa-claus
THANK YOU.