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Nativity from Northern Germany
I love nativities and angels from around the world. Each culture has their own unique way of expressing a world-changing event that happened over 2,000 years ago.
Let’s look at a few countries. Not just looking at nativities, but exploring that country’s views on religion. How many people believe in a traditional religion that celebrates Jesus’ birth? Would nativities be common in those countries? Or would it be part of a minority view?
Nicaraguan Triangle nativity
Nicaragua
Religious freedom and tolerance is promoted by the Nicaraguan constitution. However in recent years the government has detained, imprisoned and tortured numerous Catholic leaders. In 2020 79% of religious believers stated they are Christian, with 39% Protestant and almost 40% Catholic. Popular religions revolve around the saints and pictures of saints are common in the home.
France
A significant chunk of the French population are not religious. A 2020 poll of 18-49 year olds revealed only 34% were Christian, with the majority of those being Catholic. 53% said they had no religion.
Nativity from Brazil
The next 3 countries all speak Spanish, although they are on 2 different continents.
Brazil
In 1891 Brazil ceased all official religion and became secular. However 90% of the population associate themselves with some religion; with Catholicism being the largest. In fact Brazil has the largest population of Catholics of any country in the world, although Protestant religion in Brazil is rising.
Venezuela
In Venezuela all religious organizations must register with the government to obtain legal status. A 2011 poll revealed 71% of the people are Catholics, with 17% evangelical Protestants.
Mexican Folk Art nativity
Mexico
Central Mexico remains one of the most Catholic populated areas in the world. However in recent years other church groups have been growing throughout Mexico such as Protestant, Jehovah Witness and Mormons.
Haiti
With Catholic Christians being in the majority in Haiti, this country has a very multi-faceted view of religion. It includes Cuban Santeria and Brazilian Candomble’ (derived from West and Central African religions).
Italy
Historically Catholic, partly due to the Vatican being within its borders, Italy is 74% Catholic. The government respects and promotes religious freedom and diversity.
Turkey
(the Republic of Türkiye)
Islam is the most common religion in Turkey. At birth every child is registered by the government as Muslim. Turkey is officially a secular country. It is the 5th most often visited country in the world.
Nativity from Bali, Indonesia
Bali
Bali is 90% Hindu with Christian, Islam and Buddhist minorities. It is among the top 3 places in the world with such a high concentration of Hindu believers, although it is a different religious form than Indian Hinduism. In Bali Hinduism is closer to animism’s belief in a soul in every living thing in nature.
Peru
The government signed an agreement with the Vatican in 1980 that the Catholic Church receives preferential treatment in education, tax benefits and immigration of religious workers.
Peruvian Catholicism is blended with the ancient Incan religion.
Thai nativity (note the elephants!)
Thailand
90-94% of the population are Buddhists, influenced with Hinduism. To a lesser degree they are also influenced by Islamism, Taoism and Sikhism. Religious festivals are an important part of Thai culture.
Hawaii
While Hawaii is not a country but one of the states of the United States of America, it has retained much of its original culture. Besides, I had to include it as this is one of my favorite nativities! Hawaii is primarily an evangelical Christian state, followed closely by Catholicism and then Buddhism. With the revival of Hawaiian traditions Kapu system is making a comeback. It is based on Polynesian ancestors’ religion.
Malawi
Religious instruction is mandatory in public primary schools in Malawi. The 87% majority religions are Christian/Catholic with a Muslim minority. Religion plays an important part in the daily life of Malawians.
That’s it for today! I do want to note that I separated ’Christian’ and ‘Catholic’ merely because that is how most polls and statistics have it.
‘Til next time,
inkspired
A few of the websites I visited for information, in no particular order:
Britannica.com
Culturalatlas.sbs.com
Faithinspires.org
Worldatlas.com
Encyclopedia.com
Pewresearch.org
Countryreports.org
Wikipedia.org
cia.gov
Malawiproject.org
Pinterest
Another side note:
This is the weirdest blog format! Today blogspot has decided I needed white rectangles behind much of my dialogue.
What?
Why?
