THE GAMBIA: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

New Year’s Day. January 1. Many of the younger crowd go out to The Strip in Banjul, celebrating until the early hours of the morning. However, I’ve read that it’s not the best area to be in at night in a crowd; it’s pickpockets galore and requires a lot of police action pushing the crowd forward. A lot of other people choose to stay closer to home or friend’s homes, eating a good dinner and having drinks. Fireworks are shot off at the stroke of midnight. People also visit markets and other activities around this time as well. 

You should check out the blog www.travelwithkat.com for a lot of good insight into staying in The Gambia.

Mawlid/Prophet’s Birthday.  Varies. During the day, people will recite meaningful verses from the Quran and participate in Gamo, religious gatherings that start in the evening and last until the next morning.

Independence Day. February 18. This marks the day that The Gambia, the first country taken control by the British, gained its full independence from Britain in 1965. (This is also my husband’s birthday, just not the same year.) Parades, especially through MacCarthy Square in Banjul are an annual tradition. The country is decorated in the flag and its colors. Historical presentations and storytelling about the events that took place are often shown with traditional cultural and musical presentations.

Good Friday/Easter. Varies. Although Christians are a minority in The Gambia, most shops and other businesses are closed on this day, except for essential businesses and shops. Most Christians will attend special Good Friday services, generally a solemn day. Easter is far livelier. Christians wake up early to attend special services in the morning. Part of the traditions is to drink the juice from the baobab called nanburu. It’s passed on to neighbors and friends as a way of giving alms.

Labour Day.  May 1. This holiday celebrates the worker and the labor movement in general. It’s also a time when labor issues are addressed as well.

Africa Day.  May 25. This day was founded after the Organization of African Unity was established. This was the predecessor of the African Union. Each year, there is a theme celebrated by most African countries and those who live in its Diaspora. Many Gambians will dress in traditional clothes and participate in cultural performances, African drumming, and other cultural/historical displays.

Revelation of the Qur’an (Laylat al Qadr). Varies.  Also called Night of Power or Night of Destiny. This holiday celebrates when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims also believe that this night marks how the next year will go for them. Most people often spend this evening praying for mercy and salvation and special blessings for the coming year.

Eid al Fitr. Varies. This day marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month-long fasting period; also called Koriteh in The Gambia. People will wear new clothes to attend special prayer services at their local mosque. Giving alms is also a commonplace event; needy people will often congregate outside of mosques to take advantage of these generous acts. Children will often go door-to-door asking for treats or money as well.

Revolution Day.  July 22. In 1994, Lt. Yahya Jammeh led a coup to take over the government, and the people later elected Jammeh as president. A park in Banjul, formerly known as MacCarthy Square, was renamed July 22 Square. A public art piece called Arch 22, commissioned by the president, is one of the most famous pieces in the city of Banjul. In the past, there have been cultural displays around the capital and other cities in the country, but many criticize the holiday, citing that it celebrates the military coups.

Assumption.  August 15.  Known as Sang Marie in The Gambia and Senegal, this holiday is based on the Christian view that this is the day Mary, mother of Jesus, was raised into heaven after her death. Christians will often attend special Assumption services at their church.  In Banjul, some churches in the area will gather together during the late afternoon at the Arch 22 to begin the procession. Following this, the atmosphere changes to more of a festive aura with music, dancing, and food/drink lasting until late into the night.

Eid al Adha. Varies. Also called Tabaski, this holiday is almost as big as Christmas. Based on the story of Abraham almost sacrificing his only son, animals are slaughtered in a religious ceremony in order to divide up its meat, giving some to family, friends, and charity. A lot of money is spent on new clothes and little gifts for loved ones.

Ashura.  Varies. Also called Islamic New Year. Ashura’s roots are different depending on whether you are a Sunni or a Shia. For Sunnis, it marks the day that Moses was saved by the Egyptians and the day that Noah finally left his ark. For Shias, it marks the martyrdom of Muhammad’s grandson, Hussaine ibn Ali. Many people choose to fast on this day and recite verses from the Qur’an, and others use this day to visit friends and family. It’s also customary to wish people good health and well-wishes for the coming year.

Christmas tree made of recycled bottles. It reminds me of one of those Redneck Christmas Trees made from beer cans. Still kind of  cool, though, especially with the lights.

Christmas.  December 25.  Many of the Christmas decorations that are put up in people’s homes and cities resemble those of European or Western style: Christmas lights, tinsel, holly, etc. Restaurants and hotels may bring out special menus for the Christmas season, full of delicacies and other specialty items. Banjul is famous for its Fanal parades, where children and adults float boats made of paper and bamboo. Dancing is also important to the season and many different kinds of indigenous dances are performed in the street and during festivities.

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EGYPT: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

Christmas (January 7): It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, but the date coincides with the Orthodox and/or Coptic calendar.  During the advent season that leads up to Christmas (from Nov 25 – Jan 6), most people eat a vegan diet. On Christmas Eve, they have a special Christmas service at church starting around 10 pm and going until about midnight.  Some services last much longer. On Christmas Day, people spend time with their families and friends, eating a lavish meal of everything they fasted from for the past 43 days.  There is a certain type of Christmas treat called kahk, which is like a sweet biscuit, and children will sometimes leave these for Baba Noël (Santa) as they wait for him to come through their windows and leave presents.  Even though only about 10% of the population is Christian, it's also celebrated by everyone who enjoys the Christmas treats sold in stores and use the day as a secular holiday. 

Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (varies, January/February): Also called Mawlid.  In Egypt, the term Mawlid is also used for birthdays of Sufi saints as well.  Celebrations usually last a week, filled with prayer and some people use it as a day for fasting. However, at the end of the festival, it’s celebrated with a feast of food and is known for its variety of sweets.  A type of small elaborately dressed doll is given as gifts as well for Mawlid. 

National Police Day / 2011 Revolution Day (January 25):  This holiday is celebrated in reminiscence of when Egyptian police refused British demands to hand over their weapons and exit the police station in 1952.  Fifty police officers were killed and more were injured in these clashes.  This holiday was set in place to honor those that were killed. Protesters used this day in 2011 to start the 2011 Revolution to address issues of police brutality and other issues. 

Orthodox Easter (varies, April): This holiday essentially celebrates the Easter holiday for the same reason as non-Orthodox Christians do, however it’s celebrated on the Coptic calendar. For most Copts, fasting on a vegan diet lasts for the entire 55-day Lent period. Easter Mass is almost always attended, and the afternoon is spent eating lavish meals and visiting with family and friends. However, in recent years, there have been many clashes between the Muslims and Christians in Egypt and the Easter sermons have been addressing the hope for peace.

Sinai Liberation Day (April 25):  This holiday commemorates the withdrawal of the last Israeli troops from the town of Taba on the Sinai Peninsula. Most people spend the day visiting zoos and parks, taking strolls along the Nile, or visiting historic places to study about Egyptian history. 

Labour Day (May 1): Labour Day is a day for celebrating the worker and addressing labor issues.  2011 was the first year that there was a Labour Day with independent unions.  Several of the issues at the heart of the 2011 Revolution were labor related.  Egyptian laborers are demanding the establishment of a minimum wage, unemployment rights, and other issues. 

Eid al-Fitr (varies, July): Eid al-Fitr is the celebration that falls at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.  The day usually starts off with a small snack or light meal, and then followed by prayers and a grand extravagant meal in the evening.  Children will normally get gifts and new clothes especially for the holiday.  Children will also receive a small sum of money used to spend on the Eid festivities. It’s a time for families to spend together, usually at parks, zoos, amusement parks, museums, etc. 

Revolution Day (July 23): This holiday commemorates the Revolution of 1952.  A group of clandestine revolutionaries called the Free Officers Movement started the military coup.  Common activities for this day often include military parades and nationalistic themed city celebrations. This is the biggest secular holiday in Egypt.

Eid al-Adha (varies, October): At the end of the annual Hajj in which many Muslims travel to Mecca (Saudi Arabia) for special prayers. But there are many people who do not or are not able to make the trip.  However, there are three days of celebrations for the Eid, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice. This celebration has its basis in the sacrifice that Abraham faced in killing his own child for God but was reprieved at the last minute.  One common tradition is to slaughter an animal (usually a cow, sheep, or goat) and keep 1/3 of the meat for yourself, giving 1/3 to your family, and offering 1/3 to charity or to the poor. 

Armed Forces Day (October 6):  On this day, Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise attack on Israel to regain the Sinai Peninsula in 1973, which is the beginning of the October War (or sometimes called the Yom Kippur War). 

Islamic New Year/Muharram (varies, October): It celebrates the beginning of the Islamic calendar, and some people celebrate it the entire first month.  Since Egyptian Muslims are primarily Sunni, I read that Sunni Muslims celebrate Muharram as the victory of Moses over the Egyptian Pharaohs (which I don’t understand why Egypt is mostly Sunni and they celebrate Moses’ victory over their own kings. Maybe someone can explain this to me.)  Many people do fast on this day, and for Sunnis, this is a day of celebration.  Other than these things, it’s more of a quiet holiday, not really one with many celebratory traditions.

Other holidays that are celebrated yet businesses and government offices generally remain open include the following: New Year’s Day (January 1), Sportsman’s Day (March 3), Mother’s Day (March 21), Evacuation Day (celebrating when British forces finally left Egypt, June 18), Flooding of the Nile (August 15), Egyptian Naval Day (celebrating the sinking of an Israeli destroyer in 1967, October 21), Suez Day (celebrates the resistance of Egyptians in Suez during the October War, October 24), Victory Day (celebrates the end of Tripartite Aggression in 1956, December 23). 

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DJIBOUTI: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

New Years Day (January 1):  Like most places, New Year’s celebrations are a big deal. Schools and most businesses are closed on this day.  A lot of people like to bring in the new year with large parties that last until the sun rises. 

Birthday of Mohammed (varies, January-February): Also called Mawlid al-Nabi. This holiday is fairly a big deal for most Djiboutians.  In many towns, people will gather together as a community to slaughter a sheep or goat in order to give its meat to charity.  Since there is no school and most businesses are closed, many people attend special prayers at their mosque and readings from the Qu’ran are heard.

Labour Day (May 1): Also known as International Worker’s Day. It not only celebrates the international labor movements and labor unions, but also the individual workers and labor issues that need to be addressed.  One of the largest labor issues in Djibouti is the large unemployment number – most estimates are between 50-60% unemployed. Most of the people living in rural areas work in subsistence agriculture, for which there is no labor union.  Most of those who are working do not earn a living wage, and the established workweek is 48 hours/6 days a week.  There are reports of trafficked persons and forced labor.  Child labor (workers under 16 years old) is also a problem and actually against the law. But there is a shortage of labor inspectors, so no one is really punished or fined.  Likewise, there are also established safety standards and laws on the books towards this, but without safety inspectors, who’s to enforce it?

 Independence Day (June 27): This is the day which Djibouti celebrates its independence from France.  Cities and towns across the country decorate their public buildings and homes in blue, green, and white.  They actually had three referendum votes that took place in order to get enough votes to officially move towards independence in 1977 – which makes Djibouti 36 years old this year (that’s only two years older than I am!) and the third youngest country in Africa.  The day is not complete without the military parade to honor those Djiboutians who have died in battle, and a fireworks display in the nation’s capital at midnight. 

End of Ramadan (varies, July-August): Also called Eid al-Fitr; or in Somali, it’s known as Ciid Yare.  This holiday is a huge celebration that is held on the last days of the month-long fast known as Ramadan.  While people may attend special prayers at the mosque, its focal point is the huge feast people share with their family and close friends.  Children may also receive small presents, money, and new clothes. 

Muslim New Year (varies, October-November): Also called Muharram. It’s regarded as the first day of the month in which Mohammad made his trip from Mecca to Medina. However, there really aren’t any universal traditions associated with it, other than a general time for reflection.  Probably why I wasn’t able to find much info on this holiday. 

 Christmas Day (December 25): If you haven’t noticed yet, this is the only Christian holiday that made the list.  For the small number of Djiboutian Christians (as well as the small number of European and other foreign residents and US military members) in Djibouti, they usually head to their local church, which is usually decorated in lights and candles, for a special midnight prayer service and choral singing.  I’m gathering that Christmas in Djibouti tends to be slightly more focused on the religious basis of the holiday rather than the commercialism often seen in Europe and the US.  Far more laid back. However, I've also read that many Djiboutian Christians celebrate Christmas on the Orthodox calendar – January 7. 

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CÔTE D’IVOIRE: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

New Years Day (January 1): Some of the churches and mosques have a special services to bring in the new year at the stroke of midnight, and the people often wish each other the gift of peace for the coming year. Given the political events and civil war in recent years, that’s a huge wish to place for everyone. Afterwards, the parties continue with fireworks displays, ever-flowing beer, and music and dancing until the sun starts to rise again. Many people send well wishes and even gifts to their closes friends and family around this time.

Prophet’s Birthday (varies): Also called Mawlid or Maouloud.  Along with 47 other countries of the Muslim world, Côte d’Ivoire also holds the Prophet’s Birthday as a public holiday. (I think I finally figured out why in a lot of the Islam-based websites I read that the initials PBUH was after the Prophet’s name almost every time it was written: I’m fairly certain it stands for “Peace Be Unto Him.” But correct me if I’m wrong.)  On this day, Muslims decorate the mosques and their homes, reciting special prayers, reading passages about his life, and many people will also prepare food to give to the poor and/or other acts of charity.

Easter Monday (varies):  Starting days before Easter itself, these celebrations are an important time for most Ivoirian Christians. Maundy Thursday is often spent washing the feet of new believers to the church. Many people use Good Friday as a day for going door-to-door evangelizing and trying to encourage non-members to convert. In the US, Easter Saturday is generally quiet, but in Côte d’Ivoire, many people stay up all night to sing, dance, and pray their way into Easter Sunday, which starts out with special, often larger, services held at the church.  Often, the Easter stories are tied together with the underlying message of hope. Afterwards people continue celebrating with a large meal (often with rice and meat) with friends and family. Easter Monday a declared day off of work and school, most likely to recuperate from the intense celebrations for the past few days.

Labour Day (May 1): Celebrated with many other countries on this day, Labour Day is a day to celebrate the workers of the world and to address the state of labor and labor issues.  Currently, among some of the larger labor issues Côte d’Ivoire faces involve the use of child labor, despite government efforts to curb and regulate the issue, it still happens. Civil war and political strife often makes it hard on people to feel that child labor is a necessary decision in order to make ends meet, and resources just aren’t available to both businesses and families. It’s estimated that 46,000 children are employed as child laborers under inhumane conditions, often trafficked in and abused, instead of attending school. Many of these abuses take place on the cocoa bean plantations – Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s leading producer of cocoa. (On the other side of the coin, Europe is the leading importer of cocoa – various reports list Germany, Switzerland, and Great Britain among the top chocolate consumers of the world.) Like similar situations elsewhere in Africa and the world (and even the US), issues of labor and education are far more complicated and interwoven to have a simple solution.

Ascension (varies): This celebration occurs 40 days after Easter and is traditionally celebrated by Christians as the day they attribute to Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  Schools and businesses close for the day. There may be special services held at churches for people to attend.

Whit Monday (varies): Also known as Pentecost Monday.  Traditionally held on the 50^th day after Easter (hence, PENTE-cost), there is often a special church service held where many hymns are sung in honor of the day.  The traditional belief behind this day is that 50 days after Jesus was resurrected, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples and gave them the “gift of tongues.” The name Whit Sunday (or Whit Monday) came from the wearing of white clothes by the newly baptized. 

Independence Day (August 7): Celebrating its independence from France in 1960, Côte d’Ivoire certainly packs the whole day with festivities for everyone. Outdoor community festivals are planned with parades, a variety of food and drink, music and dancing, cultural displays, soccer games, and fireworks in the evening. Some of the more popular foods include aloko (bananas fried in palm oil) and a local palm wine called Bangui (not to be confused with the capital of Central African Republic). The town decorates businesses and homes with the national colors and hangs the flag everywhere. 

Revelation of the Qur’an (varies): Also known as Laylat al-Qadr. It’s the night traditionally attributed to being the night when the verses of the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad. Many recite extra prayers and read passages from the Qur’an. The Qur’an doesn’t necessarily cite a date for this day, and it’s celebrated in slightly different ways depending on whether you’re a Sunni and Shia.  But generally it is celebrated on an odd-numbered day during the last ten days of Ramadan.  

End of Ramadan (varies): Also known as Eid al-Fitr, this day is marked by a huge feast celebrating the end of Ramadan, the month-long fast of Islam.  Special prayer services are held at the mosque to mark the end of Ramadan and are followed by an elaborate feast with friends and family.  A large variety of foods and drinks are displayed on the table, and it certainly depends on where you live and how much money you have as to what particular foods are served. Many people also give small gifts to the children at Eid as well.

Feast of the Sacrifice (varies): Also known as Eid al-Adha or Tabaski. It’s tied to the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son simply because God had asked him to, all to stop the sacrifice at the last minute.  There are several prayers that are read on this day and special prayer services are held. People dress in their best clothes on this day, and one tradition is to slaughter an animal and divide the meat into keeping some for your own family, giving some to other family members, and giving some to the needy as an act of charity.  Those who don’t have the opportunity to slaughter an animal in this ritual will often donate money to charitable organizations to purchase food for the needy instead.

All Saint’s Day (November 1): This is a Christian holiday in honor of all of the saints. Many saints already have their own feast days (especially in the Catholic tradition), so this day is to honor all of the saints who do not have specific feast days. On this day, all who are able will usually attend a special mass.

National Peace Day (November 15): Somehow, this holiday hasn’t been written about much, but generally from what I’ve gathered, this is a holiday that the government has set aside to working together to try to regain Côte d’Ivoire as a peaceful nation. In light of the instability that has taken place over much of the past decade or so, regaining peaceful footing is something they are striving and working towards on a long-term path.  It may be later than sooner, but I’m hoping that they will achieve peace and stability again.

Christmas Day (December 25): One tradition in Côte d’Ivoire is that people will gather at their church on Christmas Eve night to participate in a huge festival that lasts until the early morning hours. There’s feasting, singing, dancing, skits, games, music, prayers, and stories. Sometimes the kids will find a corner and fall asleep (which I’d probably be with them. As I’ve found, partying in your 30s is far lamer than how I partied in my 20s.).  They don’t do the commercialism associated with Christmas that you find in the Americas and Europe – in fact, gifts aren’t really exchanged all that much.  (Often they will exchange gifts with people for New Years.)

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COMOROS: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

Because Comoros is a primarily Muslim country, most of their holidays are religious in nature.

Birth of the Prophet (varies/February): Comoros is one of 25 countries in Africa, which has declared the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday as a national holiday. It’s also known as Mawlid. Many Muslims believe that this isn’t just merely the birth of the Prophet but also the birth of Islam. People decorate their houses, streets, and buildings; it’s a time for a lot of food to be made with the purpose of giving some of it to the poor and those in need. Stories of the Prophet’s life and teachings are read aloud to the children, and special prayers are held at mosques.

Anniversary of the Death of President Said Mohamed Cheikh (March 18): Said Mohamed Cheikh was the President of Comoros from 1962-1970. He was born in Comoros but did much of his education in Madagascar, studying in medicine. He was Comoros’ first doctor when he returned to the island nation. He died of a heart attack in 1970 while in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Labor Day (May 1): Celebrating Labor Day on the same day as much of the rest of the world, it’s a day to spend with friends and family.  It’s also a day of discussions of how to strength the Comorian economy through commerce and trade relations, as well as discussing improvements to general labor issues that faces the country’s workers.

Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (May 25): The Organization of African Unity was replaced by the African Union in 2002. Their most important duties are to create unity and solidarity among all African countries, keeps a watch on human rights, promotes peace, and works to stabilize the political and socio-economic states in Africa. 

Anniversary of the Death of President Ali Soilih (May 29): Ali Soilih was born and raised in Madagascar, but later moved to Comoros to work in agriculture. He later turned to politics and eventually became president. His politics were heavily influenced by Mao Zedong’s philosophies, and soon started implementing changes, like telling the youth they don’t need to study history anymore.  He also created the Moissey, a revolutionary militia. It was like their version of the Cultural Revolution. In 1978, he was thrown out of office by a European mercenary unit. A couple of weeks afterwards, he was shot and killed; the official word was that he was trying to escape house arrest.

Independence Day (July 6): Comoros declared its freedom from France in 1975. On this day, Comorians decorate their homes and towns with the colors of the flag, draping flags and national symbols everywhere. The day usually parades, special food, music, dancing, and spending time with friends and family. Members of government offices – both local and national – usually give speeches and talk about the future of the country on this day.

Eid al-Fitr (varies/August): This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting practiced in Islam. After fasting for a month, this celebration involves sharing a large, elaborate meal with friends and family. Special prayer services are also held on this day.

Eid al Adha (varies/October-November): Also known as Feast of the Sacrifice, this holiday is based on the story of Abraham faced with God’s request to have him sacrifice his only son, but then stops him in the end. One tradition for this holiday is to slaughter an animal and keep a third of the meat, give a third of the meat to family and give a third of the meat to the poor. In modern times, many people may just make charitable donations and that sort of thing.

Anniversary of the Death of President Ahmed Abdallah (November 26): Born on the island of Anjouan, Abdallah became the first president of Comoros. He was ousted in a coup in 1975 and was exiled to France.  While in France, he hooked up with a mercenary and staged a coup against Soilih, retaking the presidency until his death in 1989. Soilih’s half-brother shot Abdallah and took over. The story of another coup…

Muharram (Islamic New Year) (varies/November): Since 98% of Comorians are Muslim, Muharram, or Islamic New Year, is an important holiday. Some people choose to fast during this time since it’s considered to be the holiest of months.  Muharram lasts ten days and is also called a month of mourning and remembrance.

Ashura (varies/December): This is closely related to Muharram, since it’s the tenth day of Muharram.  Ashura literally means “tenth” in Arabic. It’s also held in reverence as a remembrance for the martyr death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.

Christmas (December 25): It seems slightly odd that a Muslim country could celebrate Christmas, but don’t forget the French controlled the islands for over a century. And it’s funny how most sites that give a list of holidays in Comoros list Christmas as a holiday, but I couldn’t find hardly any more information other than that. No traditions listed, no one blogged about it (and if they did, it wasn’t in the first 2-3 pages of a Google search). So, this sort of remains a mystery, especially if it was on pages 4-15,000.

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