New Year’s Day.
January 1. New Year’s tends to be a bigger affair than Christmas in
Benin. People will generally gather together with family and friends to cook a
big meal, eat and drink and tell stories for hours on end.
Traditional Day.
January 10. Also called Fête du Vodoun. It’s an important
celebration in the Vodun religion. While it’s celebrated throughout the
country, the largest festivities are held in the city of Ouidah. It starts out
with the slaughter of a goat for the spirits and ends as a day of singing,
dancing, eating, and drinking (a lot of gin) until you can’t do it anymore.
Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid). Varies. It’s a celebration
surrounding the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Mawlid is celebrated in most
Muslim countries as well as countries where there is a large Muslim following.
The date varies slightly and is based on the Islamic calendar. Traditions that
are generally followed in most countries would be special prayer services
throughout the day.
Easter. Varies. For Beninese Christians, the day starts with
a church service and then spent with family. Beninese people love to celebrate
holidays with food, so many dishes will be prepared and shared with loved ones.
Easter Monday. Varies. Benin is one of the few countries
that have Easter Monday off. It is spent relaxing from the previous day’s
festivities.
Labor Day. May 1.
It’s a day that celebrates the worker and labor movements. There will usually
be a speech from the leaders in the community. Many businesses, government
offices, and schools have the day off to spend with family and friends.
Ascension. Varies.
The holiday falls 40 days after Easter, Christians celebrate the ascension of
Jesus into heaven after the resurrection.
Whit Monday. Varies. Also
called Pentecost Monday and is celebrated 50 days after Easter. Whit Monday is
the day traditionally thought to have been the day which Jesus was visited by
the Holy Spirit who descended upon the disciples to give them the “gift of
tongues.”
Independence Day. August 1. This day commemorates Benin’s
independence from France in 1960. The
entire country erupts in celebrations, with decorations and music everywhere.
The flag is hung from businesses and homes, the national anthem is sung, and
community leaders will give speeches.
Assumption. August
15. Assumption is the day that Catholics believe that Mary the mother of Jesus
had ascended into heaven. Traditions vary from country to country, but in most
Christian countries, especially those of a strong Catholic following celebrate
it quite grandly.
Eid al-Fitr. Varies. This is the day of the marks the end of
the month-long fast called Ramadan. It’s basically a feast day, with many
special foods that are made for this special occasion. People generally spend
the day with friends and family and attend special prayer services for this
day.
Eid al-Adha. Varies. Also called Tabaski in Benin and many
other Western African countries. It’s the day commemorating Abraham’s
willingness to sacrifice his only son. Many traditions include the slaughter on
an animal and giving 1/3 to family or friends, keeping 1/3 for your own family,
and giving 1/3 to the poor or other charitable organizations.
Armed Forces Day.
October 26. It’s a day that celebrates all branches of the military. It
happens to be the same date that Lt. Col. Mathieu Kérékou overthrew the previous
administration.
All Saints’ Day.
November 1. This Catholic holiday is basically a catch-all celebration
in honor of all the saints, especially those who don’t have their own
celebration day.
National Day. November 30. This happens to correspond to the
day that Lt. Col. Mathieu Kérékou announced that the country would be Marxist
and then changed the name of the country to the People’s Republic of Benin.
Christmas Day. December 25. Most people don’t have the money
for elaborate gifts in Benin. But one thing they do is that they share
elaborate meals with family and friends, telling stories and playing music.
Many will try to buy certain kinds of meats and special treats for this day
that they normally don’t have the money to buy throughout other times of the
year. Much of the commercialization of the holiday is lost, and one blog I read
said that many Beninese even go so far as to say that Santa Claus died a long
time ago, so how could he drop off toys?
Up next: art and literature
