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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BURKINA FASO: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

Because of its religious diversity, you'll find both Muslim and Christian holidays celebrated in Burkina Faso.

New Year’s Day.  January 1. New Years in Burkina Faso is celebrated with big parties spent with friends and family. Despite creed, tribe, or background, everyone comes together to bring in the New Years. It’s the biggest celebration of the year in many places.

Anniversary of the 1966 coup d’etát. January 3. Only six years after Burkina Faso declared its independence from France, a military coup took place.  The coup got rid of the first president Maurice Yaméogo and all of the members of the National Assembly, as well as suspended the constitution. In his place, they put Lt. Col. Sangoulé Lamizana as the head of the government. The Army remained in control for four years before they decided to go to a more civilian-based government. Lamizana remained in power throughout the 1970s and won re-election in 1978.

Women’s Day.  March 8. In Burkina Faso, people get the day off of work to celebrate. This is an international holiday, so celebrations vary across the world. In many countries, giving flowers is customary, but as to what flowers are given generally depend on the country and what’s in season. But it’s also a day to address women’s issues, such as equal pay for equal work, gender discrimination, and women’s health issues.  Many cities will have community events such as blood drives, health screenings, and educational forums.

Easter. Varies. For the Christians, people will often start the day off with a service at their church. Many people will also celebrate with a large meal afterwards with friends and family.

Easter Monday. Varies. For most people, Easter Monday is a day of rest. In Burkina Faso, people have the day off of work and school to do so. They may also make use of this day to spend doing recreational activities with friends and family.

Labor Day.  May 1. This is a holiday in honor of the worker. It’s often a time to discuss labor issues, but most people use this as a day to spend relaxing with their families and friends.

Revolution Day.  August 4. It’s a holiday that is celebrated in conjunction with Independence Day, which is celebrated the next day. It was originally in regards to the original revolution that took place in 1960 which led to Burkina Faso’s independence. Of course, there have been several other revolutions since then.

Independence Day.  August 5. This day marks the day that Burkina Faso gained its independence from France. It still is a poor country, but economically speaking, it is making small, yet consistent gains each year. Each year, everyone makes an oath to keep peace in their country: it seems like it’s working to some degree, given that there are about 60 different ethnic groups and a myriad of different religions.

Eid ul-Fitr. Varies. This is a Muslim holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. People will often go to the mosque for special prayers. On this day people make a huge feast of a meal and celebrate it with friends and family. 

Assumption.  August 15. This is a Christian holiday that is centered around the assumption that this is the day the Virgin Mary had ascended into Heaven. Many people will attend a special service at the church, and may participate in a variety of Christian traditions surrounding the holiday.

Anniversary of the 1987 coup d’etát.  October 15.  In 1983, Thomas Sankara, along with Blaise Compaoré (the current president), staged a coup to take over the short-lived Ouédraogo administration. Sankara was the one who changed the country’s name to Burkina Faso. Three years later, another coup was staged and Sankara was killed as a result. Compaoré moved up and gained control, and a lot of people reported he had something to do with Sankara’s death and with the staging of the coup. He’s been in power since the 1987 coup, and it’s reported that he’s a very wealthy man, despite the fact that the country he governs is the third least-developed country in the world.

Eid ul-Adha. Varies. Also known as Tabaski in Burkina Faso (not to be confused with Tabasco, one of my favorite condiments). It’s also known as the Great Feast and can last up to three days for those who do not go on a pilgrimage during this time.  It’s a celebration in honor of Abraham’s almost-sacrifice of his only son.  For many Muslims around the world, an animal is sacrificed, and a third is given to family, a third is kept, and a third is given to charity.  Nowadays, it may also be customary to give to local community food banks or other charitable organizations.

All Saints Day.  November 1. One of the Christian holidays (especially for Catholics); it’s a holiday designated towards homage to all the saints, and especially to the saints who do not have their own designated days throughout the rest of the year.

Proclamation of the Republic.  December 11. This is a national day in Burkina Faso.  Although the country actually declared its independence on August 5, 1960, December 11 was the day which Upper Volta became an autonomous region within the French Community two years prior to its independence.  Parades march through the streets and the flag is proudly displayed throughout the land. The government foots an expensive bill for elaborate celebrations, despite the fact that it continually ranks low on human development.

 

I had to laugh at the snowman, because when was the last time Burkina Faso saw snow?

Christmas.  December 25. Christmas tends to be celebrated more in the cities rather than out in the rural areas.  The Virgin Mary plays a key role in Christmas celebrations, and can even be seen parading through the streets to church in the back of a truck. Christmas songs fill the air.  They believe that Pere Noel (Father Christmas) brings gifts to children and families on December 23. Special meals with chicken or mutton are served, and it’s the one day people try not to serve the same old-same old staple: rice. Many people attend church services and have parties with friends and families. Even many Muslims join in some of the festive atmosphere, but not for the same reasons mind you.

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