Christmas Quiz

On which day of the year is Christmas in Ethiopia? A) 25 th December B) 31 st January C) 24 th December D) 7 th January

Which is the most important day, over the Christmas period, in The Democratic Republic of Congo? A) Christmas Day B) Christmas Eve C) Boxing Day D) New Years Day

In Sierra Leone and much of Gambia how do most towns and villages celebrate Christmas? A) With a massive secret Santa B) With a quiz C) With a lantern parade D) With masquerade parties

What sort of meal do many South Africans enjoy on Christmas Day? A) Families enjoy BBQ’s B) Families enjoy a traditional roast dinner C) Families enjoy a goat stew D) Families enjoy cheese and biscuits

Which meat is traditionally eaten around Christmas in East Africa? A) Beef B) Goat C) Turkey D) Chicken

How do you say Merry Christmas in Swahili? A) Gesëende Kersfees B) Joyeux Noël C) Kuwa na Krismasi njema D) Feliz Navidad

Which of these African countries is not one of the top five cocoa producing countries, making your Christmas chocolate this year? A) Ghana B) Nigeria C) Uganda D) Cameroon

What is the most commonly bought thing at Christmas time across Africa? A) A new book B) An advent calendar C) A new set of clothes to be worn to church D) A secret Santa present

Does it snow in Africa? A) Yes, everywhere B) No C) In some places D) In countries not near the Equator

Snow in Africa: There are a few small ski resorts in Morocco, courtesy of the Atlas Mountains. Tunisia and Algeria got snow-laden a few years ago during a particularly cold winter. Regular snow fall has created ice-capped peaks on Kenya's Mount Kenya, Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro; Uganda's Rwenzori Mountains and Ethiopia's Semien Mountains. South Africans can actually build snowmen somewhat regularly during the winter months (June - August) especially those living in the inland regions of the Eastern and Northern Cape provinces. Sutherland is considered to be the coldest town in South Africa with temperatures going well below freezing throughout the winter. Lesotho in the mountains has the highest low point of any country in the world, and there are a few ski pistes here. Snow even fell in the Sahara desert in 1979, but it lasted just half an hour.

The way you all celebrate Christmas will probably vary quite a lot, some of you might eat turkey, others beef. You might exchange presents before breakfast or after dinner. You may go to church or go to visit nan. On the whole Christmas is celebrated in similar ways, across Africa as it is here. Inevitably there are small differences within countries, villages and families as it is in the UK. In Africa, those who can afford it will generally give gifts at Christmas, but the holiday is not nearly as commercial as it is in Europe or America. The emphasis is more on the religious aspect of celebrating the birth of Jesus and singing in church. As in most Christian cultures, celebrating Christmas dinner with friends and family tops the list after attending church. Christmas decorations are hung; decorating shop fronts, mango trees, churches and homes.

What other Christmas similarities and variations can you find out about?

Answers: 1. D 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. B 6. C 7. C 8. C 9. C

From everyone here at Send a Cow Education we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! For more resources visit: To purchase gifts that keep on giving this Christmas, visit our gift site: