Jamaicans also believe in Santa Claus and he's called Father Christmas or Kris Kringle. He usually leave gifts for children under the Christmas tree on Christmas eve.
Santa and Sorrel
Most homes in Jamaica do not have chimneys, but that does not stop Santa Claus from coming to town! Children enjoy Santa's gifts and feasting with their families on Christmas Day. In Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, there is a Santa Claus Parade.
The most anticipated day of the season is Christmas Eve, called Grand Market in Jamaica. Most people are out that evening.
Christmas Eve in Jamaica is celebrated on December 24th. It's a day when Jamaicans traditionally visit the Gran Market, and when Santa Claus visits. Christmas Day is the main day for family celebrations and big Christmas meals. Though Christmas Day is a public holiday across the nation, most restaurants stay open.
In Swahili/Kiswahili (a language spoken in Kenya) Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Heri ya Krismasi' and the response is 'Wewe pia' (you also).
'Wah Gwaan'
This is probably the most well known Jamaican greeting and was even used by US President Barack Obama during his inaugural visit to Jamaica. Wah Gwaan is a casual greeting to enquire how somebody is or what's up.
Jamaicans also believe in Santa Claus and he's called Father Christmas or Kris Kringle. He usually leave gifts for children under the Christmas tree on Christmas eve.
Christmas is a very special time in Jamaica and like a lot of other countries, radio stations play carols all through the Christmas period. Lots of people paint their houses and hang new curtains and decorations for Christmas. Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.
Many homes put up Christmas lights, or as Jamaicans call them, pepper lights.
Christmas in Jamaica features Gran' Market, elaborate church services, parties with sumptuous food, community gatherings and warm interaction with friends and family.
Midnight Mass is a Christmas tradition for many people in Jamaica. This means that a number of families will attend special church services on Christmas Eve, typically after the Grand Market. Roman Catholic and Anglican churches are usually among the churches that host Midnight Mass.
Of those countries in Africa and the Middle East that celebrate Christmas, Papá Noel is the most common name for Santa Claus. In South Africa Sinterklaas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus are also used.
According to NORAD, Santa usually visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, he goes up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America.
Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra (now Demre) in the region of Lycia in the Roman Empire, today in Turkey.
Curried goat is a staple for most Jamaican households on Christmas Day. Often curried on the bone, this spicy goat dish is usually served with rice and gungo peas. Nothing of the goat is wasted; the animal's entrails will make a hearty soup called mannish water that is noted for its aphrodisiac properties.
The celebrations of Christmas in the Philippines have deep influences of Catholicism, tracing their roots back to Spanish colonial rule from 1521 to 1898. Currently, the Philippines holds the longest running festivity of the Christmas season in the world, which begins on September 1.
Known for having more churches per square mile than any other country in the world, four of our nation's public holiday are a show of Jamaica's piety, namely Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Christmas.
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.
Does Africa believe in Santa? Some countries in Africa don't believe in a fat guy in a red costume, riding on his sleigh and crawling up openings in your house to leave you presents. In Liberia, Santa is replaced by Old Man Bayka, who is also known to be a devil.
Although Jamaicans don't celebrate American Thanksgiving, they have their own festivities in November. If you're lucky, you can participate in these cultural events as well. The week before Thanksgiving is the annual restaurant week in Jamaica, where you can experience true Jamaican cooking.
“In Jamaica, we often use the word 'respect' when we greet or part ways with other people, no matter who they are or where they come from. We say this word because we mean it. We respect you as a person because we are all made in God's image, and we seek to show appreciation for your value.