Christmas Day, celebrated on December 25th every year, holds a significant place in the hearts of the people from Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville. This festive day, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is imbued with joy, peace and goodwill towards all. Being predominantly Christian, Congo enthusiastically indulges in religious, community and family-centric Christmas festivities. From special church services and nativity plays to grand feasts, the day is truly a festive event.
In Congo, Christmas is not about commercialism, often marked by limited exchange of presents, but rather, it’s about community and spirituality. It is not uncommon to see the entire community coming together to celebrate the occasion. The nativity play is an essential part of the celebration. Children from local churches take part in this drama, reenacting scenes from the holy scriptures that depict the birth of Jesus Christ. These performances are joyous occasions, filled with music, singing and dancing, enhancing the sense of unity and comradery amongst the locals.
On Christmas day, families in Congo have a tradition of coming together for a special meal. The grand feast, often involving family recipes passed down through generations, includes a variety of dishes. The festive food often includes local staples such as chicken, goat meat and Fufu (a traditional African food made from cassava). Even though many people in Congo live in poverty, everyone tries to make Christmas special by preparing an extraordinary meal, signifying the spirit of sharing and cherishing what they have.