A Ghanian Christmas

As the holidays are fast approaching and the seasons are beginning to change, everyone is starting to get closer to each other, making things warm and cheery. Christmas is without a doubt my favorite holiday, not only because of the gifts, but also because it is probably the longest amount of time school is out. I also really enjoy Thanksgiving when family comes over and we’re all together, relaxing and having good food. The holidays are probably the best time all year.

Originally, my family is from Ghana in West Africa. Both of my parents were born there so it is a huge part of my life. I live a partially Ghanaian and partially American lifestyle. Ghana and America are totally different. There are different foods and different dances (my favorite being the azonto) and generally different lives. Not only is lifestyle different, but also the holidays are different, especially Christmas.

Christmas in Ghana is a huge celebration of family, Jesus, and food, that runs from December 20th all through the first week of January. The celebrations usually begin on Christmas Eve, when most people have parties or go to Church and watch nativity scene plays and sing, a lot. But on Christmas day, most churches are packed! People overflow the churches on that day, mostly to thank God for Jesus as well as to enjoy themselves. After Christmas Day, people just party and relax, take a break from everything else and give thanks to God for everything.

I really enjoy the fact that I am a Ghanaian. I mostly do “American things”, but deep down inside I have some of Ghana in me. I like learning more and more about my culture and hope one day to go to Ghana to celebrate a true Ghanaian Christmas.