7. He may have hips, an overly powdered face, red shirts and red trousers/leggings or he looks nothing like Santa; but as long as he's dressed in red and he's got a white beard, he's Santa, in Nigeria.
Though Father Christmas was very popular name and still popular name in Africa, he has never visited children in Africa and that's very wicked of him because he could have spread the joy he brings to children in Europe and in America to Africa.
Following the festivities on Christmas Eve, Nigerians head to church to give thanks to God and presents are exchanged among family members. Some families take their children dressed in their new outfits to see Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas. In Nigeria, Father Christmas doesn't sneak into your home.
Santa is known as 'Sheng dan Lao ren' in Mandarin, which translates as 'Christmas Old Man', and he is seen as a non-religious figure who lives in a fairytale Arctic Christmas Village in China's North Pole.
However, this Santa Claus does not come to deliver gifts in the usual reindeer but arrives either by camel, car, land rover or bike. Santa in Kenya often wears something cooler rather than a warm winter suit due to the heat. Although, in the rural part of Kenya, these decorations are not always seen.
In 1966, the African American Maulana Karenga created the holiday of Kwanzaa to give black people an “opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history” rather than indulge in the customary traditions of a white Christmas.
In Kenya, Santa is called “Father Christmas.” His story is the same as in other parts of the world, and he looks very similar to the Santa Claus who visits children in North America and Europe, with a full white beard and a red velvet suit trimmed in white fur.
So, historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America.
The Niger-Congo languages inhabit Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. The most widely spoken languages of Africa, Swahili (200 million), Yoruba (45 million), Igbo (30 million), and Fula (35 million) all belong to the Niger-Congo family.
Father Christmas is well-known by children across the world. In most countries, his main attributes are his long white beard and cherry-red suit – but not in Ghana. Ghanaian children know Father Christmas, or Papa Bronya, as someone who wears sandals and a beautiful red robe trimmed with gold.
Santa Claus is a fairly recent visitor to Ethiopia, only being known about through 'western' Christmas traditions. In the Amharic language, Father Christmas or Santa Claus is called 'Yágena Abãt' which means 'Christmas Father'.
Nor does a bit of barbecue in South Africa, or fufu with egusi — a West African seafood and meat soup — in Nigeria. Once Santa gets to South America a bit later in the evening, there's pan de pascua to look forward to, a traditional Chilean Christmas fruitcake made with dulce de leche.
Most Egyptians speak Egyptian Arabic. In Arabic Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Eid Milad Majid' (عيد ميلاد مجيد) which means 'Glorious Birth Feast'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. 'Christmas' in Arabic is 'eid almilad' (عيد الميلاد).
Snowfall is not uncommon in some Southern African countries. Johannesburg, a major city in Gauteng province situated in Southeastern Africa, has experienced intermittent snowfall over the years. Meanwhile, the Drakensberg Mountain range in South Africa receives enough snow for skiing during winter.
Cape Town, often ranked as one of the best cities in the world to visit, continues to be among the top destinations in Africa to visit during the December holiday season. The “Mother City” is one of South Africa's most popular travel destinations and is at its nicest in December.
Yes, you read that right. In Kenya, Santa is most likely to be seen riding a camel as he parades through towns and villages delivering small, yet meaningful gifts to wonder-eyed children. Kenyans make each holiday tradition their own, even opting for a Cypress tree to decorate rather than a more westernized pine.
In Japan Santa is known as サンタさん、サンタクロース / Santa-san (Mr Santa) or サンタクロース / Santa-Kurosu (Santa Claus). (Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism.
Some children will hope that 'Papá Noel' (Father Christmas/Santa Claus) will bring their presents. Some will hope that 'El Niño Diós' (the Baby Jesus) will bring them. Both of those will probably bring presents on Christmas Eve.
