We know well how Latin Americans, Europeans and Americans say goodbye to the year.
As in Europe, in most of these countries it is not the New Year that is most widely celebrated, but Christmas, according to Catholic canons.
Many European Christmas traditions migrated to this land. Of course, they bring their modifications to the celebrations and give them a local touch.
Thus, instead of a Christmas continent, the inhabitants of the African decorate palm trees and acacias with balls and garlands in tourist areas, or with fruit in the most rural and remote regions. While placing a piece, a wish is made. And instead of deer, the neighbors are served by their cattle.
In some African countries, Christmas celebrations are accompanied by ritual dances and competitions. The dances around the fire are a very important tradition to welcome the new year in several towns. Sometimes men cut themselves with an espiche, as part of the ritual.
On this date, families organize Christmas dinners. Instead of toasting with champagne, residents in some poorer areas drink homemade beer. In addition, on New Year’s Eve, aid campaigns are organized to give gifts to those in need.
African Americans also celebrate the New Year or Kwanzaa (so-called African New Year), a secular holiday in African-American culture celebrated between December 26 and January 1 that coincides with the harvest period in Africa.
In Ethiopia and Eritrea even now the New Year or Enkutatash is celebrated in September, specifically on the 11th according to the Gregorian calendar, or on the first day of the month of Meskerem, according to the Ethiopian.
In Sudan people bathe in the Nile on the night of December 31. It is believed that on that day all sins are washed away and that one can be born again and enter the New Year clean.
For their part, the inhabitants of the Ivory Coast organize a race on all fours on New Year’s Eve… with an egg, the symbol of new life, in their mouths. The goal is to get there first without crushing him.
Some of the African Christmas rituals are associated with expressing intentions for the future, giving thanks for the past year and entering a new period of life.
