From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Muslim holidays
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
|
Commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice: feasting on Lamb or Goat.
Especially important family gathering in Niger.
[4]
|
January?December
|
Islamic New Year
|
Muharram
|
March?April
|
Easter Monday
|
Christian holiday of the Resurrection, breaking the
Lenten
fast.
|
March?January
|
Mawlid
|
The Prophet's Birthday, 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
.
|
Other festivals
[
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]
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]
- The
Cure salee
: annual gathering of
Tuareg
and
Fulani
[8]
nomadic clans at
Ingall
(August or September);
- Guerewol
: The "
Bororo
" Fulani matchmaking festival at the end of the rainy season (August or September). Famous for the traditional makeup and dancing of young Fulani men eager to woo a spouse, Guerewol take place both in conjunction with the
Cure salee
, as well as at other traditional gather spots of nomadic people in northern Niger;
- "
National Day of Nigerien Women
" -- "Journee nationale de la femme nigerienne" (13 May). Commemorates a 1992 march by women in Niamey during the
National Conference
period, demanding greater involvement of women in national institutions. Made a "National Commemoration" 25 November 1992.
[9]
- "Festival national de la jeunesse, des sports et de la culture": Government sponsored national youth sport and cultural competition (annual);
- National championship of
Lutte Traditionnelle
(traditional wrestling). Contestants progress from
Regional
championships to team completion which awards a prestigious trophy?a ceremonial
sabre
?to one region;
- "Foires agro-sylvo pastorales": annual Agropastoral governance and cultural forum, Niamey;
- "Prix Dan Gourmou" : Annual music competition and festival, Niamey;
- "FIMA", "Festival International de la Mode Africaine" (International Festival of African Fashion) every two years in Niamey;
- "Rencontres Theatrales du Niger": National theater festival ;
- "Festival international de conte"/ " Gatan - Gatan ": Festival of traditional story telling;
- "Salon international de l'artisanat pour la femme" (SAFEM): Women Artisans festival, Niamey;
- "
Festival de l'Air
" (27?29 December): Music and arts festival at
Iferouane
;
- " Hotoungo " at
Gangui
, a local traditional farmers gathering and festival;
- " Bianou " festival at
Agadez
;
- " Wassan Kara " festival at
Zinder
;
- The " Guetna " at
Tassara
, Annual festival among the nomadic
Diffa Arabs
.;
- Annual Anza animist religious festival at
Massalata - Konni
, near
Dogondutchi
;
- Traditional fishermen's festival at
Karay-Kopto
on the River Niger;
- " Gossi ", a Soninke animist festival at
Karma-Songhai
on the River Niger;
- "Fete de la girafe" (15 September),
Koure
, near Niamey, celebrating the
West African Giraffe
native to the area;
- le " Sharow " Puel festival;
- Traditional boxing tournaments ("Faka") each year after harvest in December or January,
Zinder Region
;
- " Mani Hori ": festival of traditional
Songhai
women's crafts, each year after harvest in December or January.
References
[
edit
]
- Geels, Jolijn (2006).
Niger
. Chalfont St Peter, Bucks / Guilford, Connecticut: Bradt UK / Globe Pequot Press.
ISBN
978-1-84162-152-4
.
: 74, 75?79
Public holidays in Africa
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States with limited
recognition
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Dependencies and
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