Public holidays in Niger

A traditional courtyard feast of mutton or goat in Diffa, around Mouloud, April 2006.
Horsemen at the traditional Eid al Fitr festival at the Sultanate of Damagaram, Zinder.

The government and people of Niger observe twelve official public holidays.[1][2] These include international commemorations, the commemoration of important dates in the history of Niger, and religious holidays. Both Christian and Muslim holidays are observed as official public holidays. While the former colonial power, France, instituted Christian observances, the vast majority of Nigeriens are Muslim.

Because Muslim holiday are dependent on the Islamic calendar, and—like Christian Easter—move from year to year. Some Muslim holidays are also dependent upon astronomical sightings (e.g.: the observance of moonrise for Ramadan). National commemorations and secular international holidays are fixed on the Gregorian calendar, the standard civil calendar used in Niger as most of the world.

Nigeriens celebrate a number of other holidays, festivals, and commemorations which are not public holidays. Some are yearly civic commemorations, some religious, ethnic, or regional festivals which may be widely celebrated only by specific groups or in specific areas. Other yearly events, such as cultural festivals, markets, or sporting events may be much anticipated events without being legal holidays.

Official holidays

Below are the twelve official public holidays recognized by the Government of Niger.[3] Businesses, schools, and public services are closed on these days. They are often dates of public festivals, political speeches, and large gatherings.

Fixed holidays

Date African name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day
April 24 Concord Day Commemorates the peace accords ending the Tuareg Rebellion in 1995
May 1 Laboua Day "la fête du travail (1er mai)": Nigerien observance of International Workers' Day
August 3 Nigerien Independence Day Commemoration of Niger's 1960 independence from France
December 18 Nigerien Republic Day Commemoration of the First Republic of Niger, semi-independent under France, 1959.
December 25 Christmas Day

The following are official public holidays whose date may vary, according to their corresponding calendar. Some Muslim holiday observance is also dependent upon local astronomical observance. For the period 2008–2013, the order they occur:

Month: 2008–2013 Name and Translation Remarks
January—December Eid al Adha: locally Tabaski (Feast of Sacri Commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice: feasting on Lamb or Goat.
Especially important family gathering in Niger.[4]
January—December First day of Muharram (Islamic New Year)
April—May Easter Monday Christian holiday of the Resurrection, breaking the Lenten fast.
March—January The Prophet's Birthday Mawlid, locally Mouloud:[5] celebrated with overnight gatherings of families and communities.
October—August Laylat al-Qadr Nightly prayers and reflection in the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
November—September Eid al Fitr Evening feasts and parties to celebrate the breaking of the Ramadan fast.
Regional gatherings and festival include the carnival festivities at the Sultan's Palace in Zinder.
January—November Tabaski (Feast of Sacrifice) - second possible observance

Other festivals

Nigeriens celebrate a number of holidays and festivals. Many are regional, recognized partially or only locally by government, or are traditions of specific ethnic groups. They include:[6][7]

References

  1. ↑ NIGER - JOURS FÉRIÉS / PUBLIC HOLIDAYS . SERVICE DE L’INFORMATION AÉRONAUTIQUE - A S E C N A (Niamey), 2005-01-19.
  2. ↑ Jean-Paul Labourdette, Dominique Auzias. Niger 2009. Petit Futé: Paris (2008) ISBN 978-2-7469-1640-1 p.208.
  3. ↑ List
  4. ↑ Nigerart: La Tabaski Monique Benamrane. 29-05-2002.
  5. ↑ Célébration du mouloud à Niamey : Dans la paix et la communion. Le Sahel, Niamey. 10 March 2009.
  6. ↑ LE NIGER - TOURISME: Les Fêtes. Aniya: Coopération nigero-française. Ministère des affaires étrangères et européennes (France). accessed 2009-04-30
  7. ↑ Geels (2006) pp. 75-79
  8. ↑ French: Peul; Fula: Fulɓe
  9. ↑ Commémoration de la Journée nationale de la femme: "Hommes et Femmes, tous unis, pour une meilleure représentation des femmes aux instances de prise de décisions", thème de la Journée. Ousmane Fatouma Saley, Le Sahel. 12 May 2009.
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