In Africa, Christmas is also a time for celebration. In some countries, especially in, it coincides with the end of harvesting. To the ceremonies that celebrate the conclusion of work in the field, the Christian celebration is added. Masks and traditional dances or offerings to the ancestors mix with the religious acts and family meals that follow them.
Obviously, Christmas is an imported holiday on the continent. Except in Ethiopia and Egypt, where it is known as Gena and is celebrated on January 7 with prolonged fasting, processions and a mass that lasts hours, in the rest of Africa it began to be organized with the arrival of the first Christian missionaries. Typically, it was characterized by its religious focus and sharing food with neighbors and friends. It stayed away from Western paraphernalia with its outlandish decorations, lights, overstuffed trees and gift exchanges.
However, in recent years it is changing in many parts of the continent, especially in urban areas. The influence of Hollywood movies can be seen in the new ways in which this tradition is celebrated. Some shopping centers adopt winter decorations to create the ‘authentic’ Christmas atmosphere. Likewise, the Christmas tree, the exchange of gifts, Santa Clauses, gingerbread cookies, sweaters and pajamas with horrifying designs and other clichés typical of this time have become popular. Perhaps what does not vary is the traditional food served that day, festive delicacies such as jollof rice, nyama choma, biryanis, braais… although these may coexist with the dishes seen on the screen.
Another effect of this cinematographic colonization is that more and more African composers create special songs for these days that exude Christmas spirit. Of course, they are songs that adapt to the idiosyncrasies of the continent, which gives them its peculiar sense of rhythm. Here we select some of these compositions that try to liven up these dates and that can help give a different touch to the heavy and constricted family gatherings that are coming up.
To start, nothing better than a classic Christmas carol adapted to Nigerian urban rhythms. Loud Urban Choir mixes choral tradition with modern sounds, such as afro-pop o soul and. For these dates, he has released an album titled Christmas Reimagined in which he covers six Christmas classics. It is the case of Drummer Boythe famous drummer that for generations has martyred so many children.
The Ghanaian Abochi rebels against the mainstream and proposes celebrating Christmas from an African perspective: “It is not about reproducing the European Christmas characterized by winter, but rather a bath of African rhythms, a warm atmosphere, community and tradition.” It is what he expresses in his theme Christmas in Africawhere he states that “Christmas in Africa is the best.” This is a single taken from the album Okaysionswhich he published this same year. A work where he presents several songs that help celebrate various occasions marked on the calendar. In it he combines afrobeats y highlife with some traditional melodies.
In Uganda Pallaso has also released a song specific to these dates, Christmas Season. The artist has stated that his intention with this single is to capture the festive spirit and try to convey feelings of togetherness, gratitude, family love and celebration. And he does it as he knows best: using rhythms of dancehall with African influences and elements of afrobeats y afropop.
Also the It has its own Christmas theme. Christmas is sung in English and Swahili by Rayvanny. On this occasion, the Tanzanian artist mixes this characteristic style of his country with elements of amapiano and a touch of afrobeats.
Some of Nigeria’s best-known voices, such as D’Banj, Falz and Waje came together to participate in a song that also celebrates Christmas with the country’s own rhythms. The single, titled Everybody Loves Christmasseeks to create an anthem for these dates. Many well-known actors participate in the accompanying video. This has also contributed to its popularity.
The great lady of Nigerian music, , could not miss this event either. Its simple Merry Christmas O! oozes that mixture of afrobeats y afropop which is characteristic of the artist. It is a theme that draws on the topics of this season of the year: unity, generosity, sharing with family and friends, and helping those in need. Nothing new, although, yes, with a different rhythm.
