Christmas Tree: A Symbol of a Dying Culture & Identity

In a religious country like mine, this is the time for church, parties and food. Yet one thing stands awkwardly disturbing for me as a Ghanaian and an African - the Christmas tree.

In December, the Christmas tree and its accompanying accessories and ornaments are big business in Ghana and I suppose in other African countries. As a child with little self awareness and consciousness about my identity and culture, it was blissful, beautiful and pleasant to see my dad come home with a Christmas tree. 

I was always exceedingly happy to help my dad wind Christmas lights around the tree and add all the other ornaments and decorations. The feeling Christmas brings is simply a child's dream.

Fast forward to my young adult self and the thing I cherished so much as a child has become an ideological conflict within me. I could no longer find reason in having Christmas trees, in no form other than artificial pines and spruces, become the symbol of Christmas in my African and Ghanaian society. If it is a symbol at all, then it is rather a symbol of a dying culture and identity. 

Need I remind myself that before Christmas trees and its associated western accompaniments started becoming popular in Ghana, young people in the 1980s, 90s and early 00s cut palm branches and weave them to create tents where they spent time with their friends sharing food and drinks their parents gave them. This was one element of the Christmas celebrations that was original and that deepened our sense of community.

I have personally observed with utmost disbelief, shock and anger that reindeer and polar bears toys, and cotton representing snow has crept ever so quickly into the Christmas tree setup in Ghana. I find this mostly in the burgeoning western standard pubs, eateries, hotels and shopping malls across the capital, Accra. This phenomenon is fast creeping into Ghanaian homes. What's the purpose behind displaying elements that are not indigenous to Africa in Africa? Who is promoting this as a standard Christmas setup? Who benefits ultimately from the business of westernized Christmas in Ghana and Africa? Who produces the artificial trees and where are they produced? These are questions that's troubling my ignorant mind.

Sadly, Africans have "paganized" their own culture and identity and have unwittingly embraced western-christianized celebrations that only advances western identity and kills the very soul of African existence and its relevance to global culture. 

I love Europe and I love the only country in Europe that I have visited - Finland, the home of Santa Claus. But I hate to see the idea of Santa Claus take over Christmas celebrations in Africa. I love and promote the idea of multiculturalism and cross-cultural interaction that leaves all the cultures preserved and respected by all. The beauty of our world lies in the diversity of a common humanity. 

Africa needs to realize that Christmas does not sit on snow and Christmas trees in Africa and the earlier we wake up from this illusion, the better and the more time we have to save that which is us - our identity and culture.

Writer: Joseph Quaye Amoo