What is living in Zimbabwe like – How They Celebrate Christmas in Zimbabwe

What is living in Zimbabwe like? How they celebrate Christmas gives us a glimpse of the Zimbabwean lifestyle. People from all walks of life enjoy the festive celebrations.

Christmas in Zimbabwe is a big deal. During the time I was growing up as a child, it was. I am pretty sure it is still the same. It is that time of the year to have a good time to take a break in retrospect.

Many people plan for months on how to celebrate this glorious occasion with loved ones. It seems as if everything stops temporarily just for the celebrations.

I know Zimbabweans for having two homes. Some travel to the villages or kumusha to spend time with their relatives and friends. Whilst others remain in the cities. All the same, Christmas is a time to take a break.

Zimbabwe declares Christmas a national holiday, so it’s convenient for everyone to be on board because they won’t go to work.

Christmas unites Christians and non-Christians alike. There might be slight differences here and there in the actual celebrations themselves.

The bottom line is that everyone knows this is the time for Christmas. They stop whatever they are doing to celebrate in their ways.

Zimbabweans are passionate about family togetherness, especially at Christmas. The festive holiday always brings them together to celebrate in unison, whether they are born again and believe in Jesus or not.

In Zimbabwe, the big day runs on 25 December. Christians start the day by going to church in the morning to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. During the Christmas service, they may sing Christmas carols.

Afterwards, they have gatherings at home to remain with their families and share some nourishments and gifts.

Before the actual Christmas day, people do a lot of preparations. They go shopping for new clothes, groceries, gifts and presents. Everyone wears their best clothes.

For some people, the only new clothes they get every year are for Christmas. The parties are places to show off their dance moves and new clothes.

On Christmas, everyone is free to visit other people’s homes or to stop by just briefly for a chat and to eat Christmas goodies. The Zimbabwean culture at Christmas is about sharing food.

A day to expect visitors, so your home has to be open to them. Also, neighbours who can come briefly to say Merry Christmas! Have something to eat, exchange presents and enjoy the party.

The most popular dish for Christmas is rice and chicken. These days some buy turkeys, but families with many people coming over for the celebrations may end up slaughtering a beast, a goat.

After eating Christmas besties, it’s time to take out their stereo speakers and blast their favourite music! Playing loud music, people dancing and perhaps singing marks the celebrations.

The music they play might not be of the Christian genre. It is to make them happy and have fun.

As for Christmas decorations, Zimbabweans are not so fussy about decorations. Some people love to hang decorations in their homes. The main thing is togetherness and spending quality time.

People rarely talk much about Santa. Children in Zimbabwe believe that Father Christmas brings presents early on Christmas Day.

The Most Popular Holiday In Zimbabwe

To put everything into context, lets look at the history of Christmas in Zimbabwe.

Christmas is Zimbabwe’s No 1 favourite holiday celebrated by almost everyone. Most people in Zimbabwe have two homes. One in the city and one in the villages. A remnant of the colonial legacy.

The colonial era (1890-1980) saw the growth of industries in towns and cities. Men were required to seek work in urban areas and live there, leaving women and children in rural areas. Most jobs are in urban areas and people still have two homes.

Christmas is a breath of fresh air, and everyone looks forward to it as it opens a window of opportunity for family reunions. Family visits are extraordinary this time of year. People take time off when businesses close.

The exciting thing is that many businesses give bonuses to show their appreciation for their employees’ hard work throughout the year. Although I should hasten to say there are no legal obligations for employers to pay their staff Christmas bonuses.

During the festive season in Zimbabwe, all roads lead to the countryside to celebrate Christmas. During Christmas and New Year family gatherings, Zimbabweans barbecue or roast a goat or cow to celebrate.

The consensus is that Zimbabweans celebrate Christmas. There may be slight differences in different geographical locations.

Hopefully, you find my post, How They Celebrate Christmas in Zimbabwe informative. And if you have any questions at all, do know that I am available and ready to respond. Leave your comments below.