JOY to the world

FROM KFC TO DEMONIC HALF-GOATS, THE JOY IS UNIVERSAL

- By Belad Al-karkhey

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year all around the world — and for many different reasons. While we all enjoy the excitement of this merry end-of-year period, there’s more than one way to celebrate. Just as traditions differ from family to family, so too do customs between countries. But the one thing they all have in common? The way the whole world is united with festive fever.

ETHIOPIA

Kicking off from November 25 each year, the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church begin a mammoth month-long fast — eating just the one meal in the evening and abstaining from any meat, dairy, egg and animal products. The custom, known as Tsome Nebiyat (The Fast of the Prophets), runs during the lead-up to the church's Genna celebrations (aka Ethiopian Christmas), on January 7.

JAPAN