<P> Bahamian Christmas foods include black cake, imported apples, pepper pot, pickled onions and ham . Drinks like ginger - beer, sorrel, mauby, and sweet potato fly are served on Christmas . </P> <P> Cuba had a long tradition of celebrating Christmas . Families used to gather at the dining table, and used to go to mass after dinner . The Communist Regime led by Fidel Castro abolished the paid Christmas holiday in 1969, citing that workers were needed to continue the sugar harvest . In 1998, the Regime declared December 25 a leisure day, as requested by Pope John Paul II as a condition to visit the country . It is a one - day public holiday and it is celebrated only in the evening . </P> <P> Radio stations play Christmas carols as early as October, reggae style and some international . Jamaicans paint their houses and hang new curtains for Christmas . Pepper lights, the local name for Christmas lights, go up even on trees . </P> <P> Junkanoo or John Canoe is a traditional Christmas celebration in Jamaica, influenced by African ancestors . This includes street dancing and a great parade through the streets with Jamaicans dressed in colorful masquerade costumes in which masks are worn . </P>

Festivals and customs from various religions in south africa christmas