Christian and Islamic Festivals

1. The Christian Year

2. Christmas

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. In Ghana, people attend church services, sing carols and share meals of rice and chicken. Children wear new clothes, and families visit each other. Churches hold carol services and nativity plays. Christians remember that God came among people as a humble child. For that reason, many give to the poor at this time.

3. Easter

Easter is the most important Christian festival. It recalls the death of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection on the third day. Christians believe that this brings forgiveness of sin and hope of eternal life. In Ghana, Easter is a time for conventions, crusades and processions. At Kwahu, Easter has become a major social event, with paragliding and returning citizens filling the mountain towns. Many Christians fast during Lent, and they attend a Good Friday service before celebrating on Easter Sunday.

4. Pentecost and Others

Pentecost marks the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, as told in Acts 2. It is sometimes called the birthday of the Church. Harvest celebrations are also held by many Ghanaian churches, when members bring gifts of food and money in thanks to God. All Saints' Day and other occasions are observed in some denominations. Different churches may mark these times in different ways.

5. Moral Lessons

1. The Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar follows the moon. It is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so festivals move through the seasons. The date of Eid depends on the sighting of the new moon. This is why the dates change each year. Two Eid festivals are public holidays in Ghana: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

2. Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan is the ninth month, when the Qur'an began to be revealed. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, avoiding food, drink and wrong behaviour. They pray more, read the Qur'an and give to the poor. Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, comes at the end of Ramadan. Before the prayers, Muslims give zakat al-fitr, a gift of food to the poor, so that all can share in the joy. People gather for prayers, then visit family and friends and share food.

3. Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, recalls how Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. Allah provided a ram instead. Muslims who are able to do so sacrifice a ram or another animal, and share the meat with family, friends and the poor. The festival takes place at the time of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah. Thousands of Ghanaian Muslims have made this journey.

4. Maulid

Maulid an-Nabi marks the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Some Muslims celebrate it with prayers, songs and lectures on the Prophet's life. As with Damba, it has local forms in Ghana. Not all Muslim groups observe it, as there are differences of opinion, and these should be respected.

5. Comparing the Three Religions

All three traditions use festivals to give thanks, to remember and to care for the poor. Ghanaians of different religions often greet each other at festivals, and they sometimes share food. Muslim neighbours receive Christmas greetings, and Christians may be offered meat at Eid. The Chief Imam and Christian leaders have attended each other's events. These gestures help to preserve Ghana's religious peace.