The children of Ghana find it difficult to relate to the harsh cold of the North Pole, so their "Father Christmas" arrives instead from the tropical jungles to play his part in their Christmas festivals. His gifts are simple, good things to eat mostly, but his outfit is very elegant. Sandals peek out from under his bright red robe trimmed in golden fabric. A tradi- tional African patterned sash unites the colors of his outfit, and he wears a pale-colored cloak with a hood over his red cap. While Father Christmas is a holdover from Ghana's colonial days, this was the first black African country to gain its independence. Thus, the people there have chosen the traditions they wish to keep from among the European customs, and expanded to encompass their own. In Ghana the Christmas festival includes a special religious service after which young people are given imported chocolates, and cookies and crackers prepared especially for this event. These are said to come from "Father Christmas". Christmas also coincides with harvest time for cocoa, which also is generally known as a time of abundance and good cheer. Friends and relations travel to visit each other, celebrate the Christmas story, and share a wonderful feast.
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