The document summarizes the student's research on Christmas customs in Zimbabwe for a group project. The student's role was to research Zimbabwe and found that 85% are Christian, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th with church services and parties between homes. Unique customs include wearing nice clothes, eating chicken which is expensive, and decorating with ivy plants. Travel to Zimbabwe requires permits, adhering to laws, and stating the purpose of the trip. The student would be welcomed unless visiting for religious or business reasons when more scrutiny applies. The project involves research, creative works, and respecting different cultural perspectives.

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Harold Sowards
Patricia Proctor
FYS 2 pm
Group Project
I was really interested in learning about Zimbabwe as a nation, but when I was limited to
just its’ customs regarding Christmas and travel, I still was pretty excited. The other nations that
are discussed by the other members of my group look to also have interesting customs and I was
intrigued by what I found out as a result of it. To have a successful journey, I think that we had
to be able to overcome our ideas about Christmas and thinking our way is the only way to do
something and interpret other countries beliefs. We also had to be able to acquire enough
information in which we can use to make decisions about what to do. Also, getting some shots
would also be a challenge, because I don’t like getting them and personally a fear of heights will
be an issue to overcome as I would be stuck in a plane for long periods of time.
My role in the research for the group was to find out all the information about Zimbabwe
that was needed. The general questions we used as a group were: the Christian population of the
country, the date Christmas was celebrated, if the country saw Christmas as a religious or
commercial holiday, the different types of music and art portrayed there for the holiday
(although we didn’t really find that much), unique traditions in the country, travel restrictions
from the US to there, and will we be welcomed in the country?
I found out that 85% of Zimbabwe is Christian with 62% attending church regularly. Out
of that 33% were Protestant and 7% were Roman Catholic. (www.mapsofworld.com) They
celebrate Christmas on December 25th normally with a church service. Everyone parties from
house to house and presents are generally distributed along with food at each stop. Christmas

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pop and old African favorites are usually the music choices. They wear their best clothes on this
day, as it is the only time they get new clothes. Children think Santa Claus brings presents early
so they can show them off to friends. Their Christmas cards are usually of African animals
because it is summer time, but they do import some of more common Christmas scenes depicting
snow from other countries. They usually eat chicken with rice, but chicken is generally
expensive and is only eaten during this holiday. Santa usually arrives at the biggest stores on a
fire engine and all the major streets have Christmas lights hung up. (www.WhyChristmas.com)
Christmas is in the summer. An elder of the family is considered Santa Claus during
Christmas Eve. This is where the family hands out all of their personal gifts before the actual
holiday. They have a fir tree that is only in the main room in which they gather around. They
say Kisimusi for Christmas. (www.Christmasworld.freeservers.com) They decorate their homes
with ivy plants, because it is usually cheaper than more traditional Christmas garments. They
also eat cornmeal porridge, roasted ox or goat for dinner as well. (www.crossingtheblues.com)
Regarding the travel restrictions I found out there is a $30 single entry fee that lasts 30
days with a $60 permit for 60 days also available. You must tell the embassy if you intend to go.
You must adhere to Zimbabwean immigration laws and personal property insurance is a must.
You can’t take pictures unless you have a license to do so or you face punishment as it results in
a $100 fine. You must state the purpose of your visit and get a visa before travel along with a
Yellow Fever vaccination. To be able to stay in a hotel, you must have our travel documents
handy. It is important to schedule your visit one month before you leave, so that your purpose
and reason can be cleared by their embassy. You must tell officials how much cash you have on
you at all times with a max at $5000. It is also important to find out about medical insurance as
you are not always guaranteed coverage from your home country. (www.travel.state.gov)

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As to the “are we welcomed” question, we would be fine, unless we are going for
religious regions then they tend to be weary. Also, if we are going for business purposes we
have to go through a variety of different checks at the embassy to be cleared. Also, if we are
going to photograph anything that is related to their government our equipment will be
confiscated. (www.travel.state.gov)
The learning outcome demonstrated by the research would be information literacy as I
had to figure out which information was reliable and double check the information with other
sites to determine accuracy. Inquiry Based Thinking is also important because we had to make
questions that we had to research and act upon our knowledge of Christmas. Intercultural
Thinking because I researched one specific country and gathered as much information as I can
about it. I can also say Creative Thinking was used when we tried to find Music and Art for the
project as well.
The learning outcomes demonstrated by the project would be information literacy as we
pull in all of the group’s research together. Creative Thinking when we make the PowerPoint.
Ethical and civic thinking when we relate our ideas to theirs and respect one another’s time
schedule. Inquiry Based Thinking, when we decided which questions to use for the project.
Integrative Thinking, when we were able to make connections between what we are researching
and our own believes. Intercultural Thinking because we are researching five different countries.
Metacognitive Thinking because we had to quit thinking so one sidely and open our ideas up to
their traditions. Communication Fluency because we have to present this and be able to express
our feelings openly in the group along with our ideas.

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Works Cited
www.WhyChristmas.com. WEB. November 19, 2013.
www.mapsofworld.com. WEB. November 19, 2013.
www.Christmasworld.freeservers.com. WEB. November 19, 2013.
www.crossingtheblues.com. WEB. November 19, 2013.
www.travel.state.gov. WEB. November 19, 2013.
North Pole Christmas. Sing Noel - African Christmas Song (HD).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSOuYLzCRKc. WEB. November 19, 2013.
MrAemandy. Christmas in Zimbabwe ( Warren Mandy).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT37cl5tjjI. WEB. November 19, 2013.
Presentation:
prezichristmas.pez