Public holidays in Niger

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A traditional courtyard feast of mutton or goat in Diffa, around Mouloud, April 2006. Meal in diffa April 2006.jpg
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. Zinder sultans horsemen festival.jpg
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.

Contents

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

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

DateAfrican nameRemarks
January 1 New Year's Day
April 24 Concord Day Commemorates the peace accords ending the Tuareg Rebellion in 1995
May 1 Labour Day Commemoration of Niger observance of International Workers' Day
July 26 Anniversary of the CNSP Coup 2023 Nigerien coup d'état Constitution of Niger
August 3 Independence Day Commemoration of Niger 1960 independence from France
December 18 Republic Day Commemoration of Niger 1958 semi-independent under France
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: 2008–2013Name and TranslationRemarks
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

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 Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine . 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 Archived 2004-11-18 at the Wayback Machine 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 [ usurped ]. 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.