How to Say Merry Christmas in Igbo

Africa

Nov 3

Written by Kelsey Cecil

Merry Christmas in Igbo

Ekeresimesi ọma

Say it like this: eh-keh-reh-SEE-meh-see AW-mah

Big letters show the part to say louder.

Quick answer

In Igbo, Merry Christmas is Ekeresimesi ọma, said like eh-keh-reh-SEE-meh-see AW-mah.
People say it in Nigeria.

What Ekeresimesi ọma means

'Ekeresimesi' (Christmas, borrowed from English) + 'ọma' (good). Together it means good Christmas.

Other ways to say it in Igbo

Ekene Ekeresimesi

Say it like this: eh-KEH-neh eh-keh-reh-SEE-meh-see

Means 'Christmas greetings'. Listed by Omniglot as a Christmas greeting.

Where people speak Igbo

Nigeria

Igbo (Asụsụ Igbo) belongs to the Niger-Congo language family.

Say it with Rally on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Rally the corgi rides the Christmas Train to more than 100 places and teaches kids how to say Merry Christmas at every stop. Practice Igbo today, then follow his trip.

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Christmas traditions where people speak Igbo

Going home to the village: Many Nigerian families travel from the city to the villages where grandparents and older relatives live. Some Igbo families choose to make the trip at New Year instead, when transport costs are lower and community events such as kindred meetings and traditional weddings take place.^[2][3]
Church choirs at the door: On Christmas morning families go to church to give thanks. Church choirs also visit members' homes to sing carols, and families exchange cards and presents.^[2]
A feast of jollof rice: A traditional Christmas meal can include jollof rice, pounded yam, stew, and goat, beef or chicken. Homes and streets are decorated, and many families have an artificial Christmas tree.^[2]

🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Igbo

Three quick questions for kids. Tap an answer to play.

Say Merry Christmas in more languages

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Questions parents ask

How do you say Merry Christmas in Igbo?

You can say "Ekeresimesi ọma". Ọma means good, and the dot under the letter ọ gives it a sound like aw in the English word law. Omniglot also lists Ekene Ekeresimesi, which means Christmas greetings. Ekeresimesi is the Igbo form of the English word Christmas.^[1][5]

How do you pronounce "Ekeresimesi ọma"?

Say it like this: eh-keh-reh-SEE-meh-see AW-mah. The capital letters show the part to stress. The ọ is an open o, like the aw in saw. The dot under the letter matters, because o and ọ are different letters in Igbo.

What does "Ekeresimesi ọma" mean?

It means good Christmas. Ekeresimesi is the Igbo way of saying Christmas, borrowed from English, and ọma means good or well. Igbo greetings usually carry warmth and respect, so even a short phrase is received kindly, especially by elders.^[1]

How do you write Merry Christmas in Igbo?

Igbo uses the Latin alphabet with dots under some vowels, so it is written Ekeresimesi ọma. The dots matter: ọ, ụ and ị are separate letters. If you cannot type them, many people write Ekeresimesi oma, but the dotted letters are better for print.^[1]

How do you say Happy New Year in Igbo?

Afọ ọhụrụ means new year in Igbo, and ekene means greeting, so Omniglot lists an Ekene afọ ọhụrụ style New Year greeting. Many Igbo families make New Year a big time for going home, kindred meetings and weddings, and some prefer it to Christmas for the village trip.^[3][4]

Is there a formal and a casual way to say Merry Christmas in Igbo?

Ekeresimesi ọma is warm and fits everyone. With elders, add a respectful greeting first and say it slowly. Following it with Chukwu gozie gị, meaning God bless you, makes it even kinder. With friends, a short Merry Christmas is also common.^[1]

When do people say Merry Christmas in Igbo?

People say it on Christmas Eve at gatherings, on Christmas morning after church, and when they visit family and neighbours. It is also sent as a message or card before December 25. Children can use it with anyone, and a warm smile and a polite pause for elders go a long way.^[2]

Is the main Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for Igbo speakers?

Both days matter. Many families gather on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas morning, December 25, they go to church to give thanks. The greeting is used on both days. Some Igbo families save the big village trip for New Year instead of Christmas.^[2]

What is a Christmas tradition for Igbo speaking families?

Many families travel to the village to be with grandparents and relatives. On Christmas morning they go to church, and church choirs visit members' homes to sing carols. The meal often includes jollof rice and pounded yam.^[2]

How can I teach Igbo Christmas words to kids?

Start small. Teach Ekeresimesi first, then ọma, which is only two beats. Show how the dotted ọ makes an aw sound. Say the greeting together a few times, then write it on a card. Pair it with a family trip story, since many Igbo families travel home for the holidays.

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