By Islam Salah
Christmas traditions in the MENA region are as diverse as the cultures that call this area home. While many share common holiday elements like festive meals and family gatherings, each country has its distinctive way of marking the season.
From fasting to feasting, parades to prayers, Christmas in MENA offers a vibrant mix of cultural practices and religious observances. Here’s a look at some of the region’s most unique and meaningful traditions.
Egypt: Fasting and Feasting
For Egyptian Coptic Christians, Christmas is a time of deep spiritual reflection, starting with a 40-day fast leading up to the holiday. During this period, people abstain from meat, poultry, and dairy, choosing instead to eat vegetarian dishes.
It’s a time to focus on faith and prepare for the joy of Christmas. But once Christmas Eve arrives, the fast is broken with a grand feast. Families come together to celebrate, with traditional dishes like fattah (a hearty lamb and rice dish), mahshi (stuffed vegetables), and a variety of sweets filling the table like kahk.
Jordan: Infused Fruitcake
In Jordan, Christmas traditions revolve around food, particularly a rich and boozy fruitcake. Made weeks before the holiday, this traditional cake is filled with dried fruits, nuts, and spices and soaked in brandy or rum for a truly indulgent treat.
This cake is an important part of the festive season, often shared among family and friends. The preparation starts as early as the last Sunday before Advent, allowing the flavors to deepen and intensify.
Sudan: Traditional Dances and Songs
Christmas in Sudan is marked by music and dance, rooted in the country’s rich cultural heritage. As part of the festivities, Sudanese Christians gather for lively celebrations featuring traditional dances and songs.
These performances, which once had a ceremonial purpose in tribal life, are now adapted to celebrate Christ’s birth. The dances are full of energy and color, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity among families and communities.
Lebanon: Sprouting Pulses
Lebanese Christmas traditions have a unique twist. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, families take part in the tradition of sprouting pulses, such as chickpeas, lentils, and beans.
These grains are soaked in water and placed on damp cotton to encourage sprouting. Then, once they sprout, the green shoots are often used to decorate nativity scenes, church altars, or the family dinner table. It’s a beautiful and symbolic practice that brings an added sense of purpose to the season.
Palestine: Christmas Parade
In Palestine, the city of Bethlehem becomes the center of Christmas celebrations. Known as the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem is the focal point for a grand Christmas parade that takes place every year on Christmas Eve.
The event features marching bands, scout groups, and local residents who come together to celebrate in the streets. Plus, visitors from all over the world gather in Bethlehem to witness this spectacular event, making it not only a local tradition but a global one as well.
Celebrating Christmas: MENA’s Holiday Traditions
From festive feasts to vibrant dances and symbolic rituals, Christmas in the MENA region is a celebration of faith, culture, and community. Each country brings its own special traditions to the season, creating holiday practices that reflect the region’s diversity.
Whether it’s the sprouting of pulses in Lebanon or the grand parade in Bethlehem, these traditions offer a glimpse into how Christmas is celebrated in meaningful ways across MENA.
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