How is Christmas celebrated around the world? –

Some celebrate them for 130 days, others fasting and others… surfing the sea. So how do people from the Philippines to Mexico celebrate Christmas?

Stuffed turkeys, festive merry-go-rounds, surfing Santas… every continent and every country has its own unique Christmas customs. So how do Filipinos, Ethiopians, Japanese and other peoples of the world celebrate Christmas?

Philippines: Celebrations lasting… 130 days

Strictly Catholic Filipinos celebrate Christmas for almost 130 days – longer than any other country. “Pasko”, as the celebration is called on Philippinesruns from September 1 to January 6, and throughout the holidays department stores are filled with Christmas trees and glittering decorations.

During the last nine days before December 25, Filipinos flock to churches at midnight or around 04:00 in the morning to witness the so-called “Misa de Gallo”, a custom that has remained in the country since period of Spanish rule. Legend has it that anyone who manages to attend the services of all nine days will be able to make their every wish come true.

Mexico: “Las Posadas” in honor of Joseph and Mary

At Mexico the celebration “Las Posadas” (“In the Inns”) is held on the other hand in honor of the adventure experienced by Joseph and Mary looking for a manger to give birth to Jesus. Singing and holding candles, the Mexicans go from door to door looking for someone to host them. The hosts, according to custom, initially refuse to welcome the Holy Family, but eventually open their door and welcome them into their home.

The celebration of “Las Posadas” dates back to the time of the Augustinian monks who converted the locals by giving a Christian meaning to the ceremonies of the Aztecs – who also celebrated a god of their own in the same period of December.

How do Ethiopians and Australians celebrate?

In Ethiopia Christmas isn’t celebrated with stuffed turkeys, gingerbread and gingerbread or fluffy cakes and cookies. On the contrary: Ethiopians celebrate by fasting – and indeed “Tsome Nebiyat”, as this fasting period is called, lasts 43 days. Those who decide to strictly observe the religious fast must eat only one meal a day, which should be free of meat, dairy and eggs. In addition, alcohol consumption is prohibited.

In Oceania on the contrary, specifically in Australia, people tend to eat their fill, as is also the case in Europe. But the main difference in Australia it’s like Christmas falls… in the middle of summer! So Australians celebrate by surfing, swimming in the sea or gathering at barbecues and drinking cold beers. Anyone who happens to be in Australia at Christmas might be lucky enough to even see Santas riding the waves with a surfboard.

From the frenzy of consumption to the frenzy of hair

In Japan there are very few who know the Christian background behind the celebration of Christmas. That is why Christmas in Japan is first and foremost a celebration of consumption and enjoyment, during which there is now a tradition of millions of Japanese queuing outside KFCs – and if anyone wants to eat the Christmas dishes of the famous fast food chain on those days, it is possible that he will need to pre-order them.

Returning to the customs of Europe one of those that stand out is its Christmas lottery Spainalso known as “El Gordo”. Millions of Spaniards watch live the lottery draw hoping to get a share of the winnings, which this year reach 2.7 billion euros. In fact, lachni are no longer only sold in Spain, but also online to citizens of other countries. The “El Gordo” lottery has been organized every year since 1812, making it one of the oldest lotteries in history.

Nisse wants his grøt and the Italians their panettone

On Christmas night the little children at Norway they make a dish of “grøt”, something like a flour batter, for Nisse, the good Christmas gnome who looks after the animals and who can trouble people if he doesn’t find his grøt when he visits them. Today, of course, Nisse has taken on several elements of Santa Claus, he wears a red cap and is the one who brings the children their presents.

In Italy again they prefer panettone, the typical Christmas “sweet bread” that can be found in all Italian supermarkets – and which is perhaps more like a soft cake. Panettone originates from Milan and, although there are many versions, it usually contains candied orange, lemon and lemon zest, as well as dried raisins, ingredients that bind to an acidic yeast-like dough. This sweet is ideal to accompany a hot afternoon drink and is one of the most popular – culinary – traditions in Italy, where literally tens of millions of panettone are sold every year.

Source: Deutsche Welle

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