In Senegal, Christmas is for Muslims!

Yup, you heard it here first, ladies and gentlemen, Christmas is for Muslims in Senegal!  Not only is this true of Christmas, but also of the rest of the traditional Christian holidays.  Allow me to explain.  Today, for example, is All Saints Day.  As a former French colony, the Senegalese government has declared it a civic (i.e. paid) holiday.  Banks and shops are closed, and, bummer for me, my maid isn't here to watch Isabella while I go to the women's prison.

Mardi Gras is also big in Senegal.  Kids dress up in costumes and go door to door showing off their attire and asking for coins.  Forget Halloween and candy, people, show me the money!


Easter Week is also a busy holiday here, with the Jesus film playing on TV (crazy, eh?), and Catholics preparing a special dish called ngalakh to share with their Muslim neighbours - just as their Muslim neighbours share food with Catholic friends during Muslim holidays.  My theory is that Senegalese people love to have a good time, and if you're having a party, they're coming over!  Muslims enjoy the time off from work along with their Catholic neighbours, since the Monday after Easter Sunday is a paid holiday, as is the Monday after Pentecost Sunday.  If you think about it, it only makes sense to take the Monday off after a busy weekend partying.  Maybe we should do that in N. America, too.


Christmas, however, takes the cake.  During the weeks leading up to December 25, you will find vendors lining the streets with tacky inflatable Santas, fake Christmas trees, boxes of indestructible plastic ornaments, and tinsel hanging around their necks like scarves.  Those who can afford it will decorate their homes, offices, and even cars with these cheap imports from China.  Children all expect gifts from Santa, just like they do back in N. America, but they have no idea what the holiday originally commemorates.  We once asked our little neighbour Mami is she knew what we were celebrating at Christmas, and she said no.  "Let me give you a clue, Mami." Dan said, "It's someone's birthday."  Mami thought about it for a second before replying, "Santa Clause?"

Isabella's first Christmas - Next to our tiny fake tree

A quick Google search confirmed my theory.  I'm not the only one who has made this observation regarding Senegalese people's love for celebration.

Muslims recognize Jesus Christ as a prophet, but don't generally celebrate the date of his birth. Many Muslim societies discourage Christmas hoopla. But Senegalese say they have a long history of tolerance and coexistence with Christians, so why not share Christmas?  

Secularism elsewhere may mean the freedom not to celebrate a religious holiday. In Senegal many interpret it to mean they should celebrate all of them.  "Here in Senegal, it's a secular country. Everyone wants to buy cakes and gifts. We respect Christians and they respect us," says Fatou Mata, 40, a mother of two.  And she faces the yuletide pressures familiar to parents everywhere: "If my kids don't have a present on Christmas, they'll cry."

As we prepare to celebrate our Saviour's birth, we intend to do visit our neighbours and share yummy baked goods, a wall calendar with bible verses, and a Christmas card.  Please join us in praying for open doors and boldness to share what we really celebrate on December 25 - not merely the birth of a baby, but of a Saviour born to die a sinner's death on a cross as a ransom for many.