6 minute read
Geseënde Kersfees
by Elsa Dixon
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The Holiday Season in South Africa is a blend of South African, European, and even American traditions. But, instead of “Happy Holidays!” one hears “Merry Christmas!”, “Happy Christmas!” or blessings in any one of the eleven ofcial languages such as Geseënde Kersfees! Krismesi emnandi! or Le be le keresemese e monate!
Since South Africa is in the Southern hemisphere, it is the height of summer with sunny skies, green grass, sandy beaches, and no snow at all. Still, South Africans decorate pine trees, send wintry Christmas cards, have traditional dinners with turkey, chicken, or roast lamb, wear Christmas hats, and pull Christmas crackers.
Schools close during December and January for an annual, long holiday of five to six weeks. Most businesses take a break during that time as well. South Africans love the outdoors, flock to the beaches, fill the camping places, and tour the national parks.
Cities and shopping centers light up with Christmas embellishments, Christmas villages, and fake snow. There are indulgent treats to nibble on, cheerful jingles fill the air, and Father Christmas makes his appearance in an array of places. Families enjoy driving through the streets, admiring the decorative Christmas lights, such as dolphins pulling Santa’s sleigh.
Celebrations in the home
South Africans love to decorate their homes, but one does not see the elaborate outdoor displays as in the USA. Instead, most homes display a fir or imitation Christmas tree that the children help to decorate. During the last few years, a new range of African-style ornaments sprung up using materials such as beads, glass, and wire. As children, my mom encouraged us to make our own decorations. We took great delight in stringing Christmas cards above the chimney. Besides sending cards, writing an annual newsletter is a welcome tradition.
It was customary in our home to produce a Christmas play and sing carols in the week leading up to Christmas. Friends of ours living in the country drove a big truck past farms and through town, picking up willing participants on the way, serenading as they went.
Father Christmas
Children put out pillowcases o r stockings for Father Christmas to fill. They believe that he will come in a sleigh pulled by reindeer and climb through the chimney. Family members and friends strew presents under the Christmas tree in readiness for Christmas morning. It was custom for one of the children to dress as Father Christmas and hand out the gifts in our home. Some families have the giftgiving late Christmas evening after caroling by candle-light or attending a c h u r c h service.
Late Christmas morning, other families might drop in for a quick visit. It is not unheard of for adults to open a bottle of champagne in celebration, sharing a thimble-full of the good stuf with their ofspring. As one mom said:” After all, it is Christmas!” Come to think of it; my dad would pour my brothers and me a tot of wine on special occasions in any case.
Christmas Feast
The Christmas feast is a highlight. Some families opt to have a big meal on Christmas Eve and then enjoy the lovely summer weather on Christmas day. Pleasing aromas of roast lamb, beef, suckling pig, or turkey waft through the air while crispy, baked potatoes, yellow rice and raisins, vegetables, and salads fill the plates to overflow.
Outdoor Braai
It has become a popular tradition to substitute the hot meal for an outdoor braai (barbecue) or have cold leftovers on Christmas day. A South African braai features a variety of meats, such as lamb chops, steak, chicken, boerewors (farmers’ sausage,) and sides
Photos, this page: South African melktert for dessert at Christmas © Elsa Dixon; Two South African ladies wearing Christmas hats © Leoni Schmidt; Opposite: Minstrels playing banjo and guitar at Hout Bay © Elsa Dixon; South African families enjoying Bloubergstrand at Christmas © Elsa Dixon
including salads, braaibroodjies (sandwiches toasted on the grill), potatoes wrapped in tinfoil and baked in the coals.
Christmas Desserts
Most South Africans have a sweet tooth. A popular tradition is to serve a Christmas or fruit pudding. Initially, the Christmas pudding had 13 ingredients representing Jesus and the 12 disciples. Besides the raisins, currants, suet, brown sugar, citron, lemon peel, flour, mixed spices, eggs, and milk, it contains a good quantity of brandy or a mix of brandy, rum, cognac, and sherry. The mixture also includes a five-cent piece, signaling wealth and good luck for the lucky recipient. In our house, my mom would ensure that there were enough coins in the pudding for all the children to find one! We were also in awe of my dad when he poured brandy over the pudding and set it alight for special efect.
Treats include mince pies filled with dried fruits and spices. Originally oval-shaped and filled with meat, a mince pie represented the manger with Jesus inside, and the pastry on top the swaddling clothes. Besides the fruit salad and ice cream, a more festive meal would include traditional desserts such as Malva Pudding, a sticky sweet dish served with hot custard, or melktert, a perennial favorite.
Christmas Crackers and Paper Crown Hats
South Africans retained the British tradition of wearing Christmas hats and pulling Christmas crackers. Each person, in turn, shows the trinket and reads the little message found inside. Depending on the price, some charms are little treasures. It is a lot of fun seeing the Christmas hat hidden inside the cracker and even more fun wearing the silly headgear. The paper crown tradition goes back to the Saturnalia festivals when the ancient Romans wore this paper coronet during the winter solstice. The candy maker, Tom Smith, developed the original Christmas cracker during the Victorian era in the 1840s when he filled it with colorful candies to spill out when it opened.
Day of Goodwill
Since becoming a democracy in 1994, South Africa celebrates December 26th as the Day of Goodwill, previously Boxing Day. Traditionally, workers and servants received boxed gifts on this day and could enjoy a day of rest. South Africans make full use of the great weather and usually participate in outdoor activities, such as going to the beach. After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it is usually a casual day, relaxing and eating leftovers.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, also known as ‘Tweede Nuwe Jaar’, is a riotous cultural festival dating back to the early days of colonization and slavery. During the first and second days of January and even beyond, the Bo-Kaap bursts into song and dance. Up to 13,000 minstrels or Kaapse Klopse parade through the streets in tailored, colorful costumes and make-up, playing musical instruments, dancing, and singing. Initially, only tambourines, banjos, and guitars accompanied the groups, but it also grew to include brass ensembles. There is no limit to who participates. Families carry on this tradition, with even little children in costume dancing alongside the adults. Over the years, diferent groups formed minstrel troupes and choirs, resulting in the annual, formal competitive event at the Green Point Stadium. I remember the sheer joy of seeing the parades and being part of the rowdy, appreciative onlookers shouting encouragement.
South Africa looks forward to welcoming visitors to share in these joyful traditions during the Holidays and ring in the New Year with exuberant celebrations!
