Public holidays in Niger

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.

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.

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 Labour 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 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]

  • The Cure salée : annual gathering of Tuareg and Fulani[8] nomadic clans at Ingall (August or September);
  • Guérewol : 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, Guérewol take place both in conjunction with the Cure salée, as well as at other traditional gather spots of nomadic people in northern Niger;
  • "National Day of Nigerien Women" -- "Journée nationale de la femme nigérienne" (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 Théâtrales 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'Aïr" (27–29 December): Music and arts festival at Iférouane;
  • " 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 Soninké animist festival at Karma-Songhaï on the River Niger;
  • "Fête de la girafe" (15 September), Kouré, 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
  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 Archived 2009-06-22 at the Wayback Machine. 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.
  • Geels, Jolijn (2006). Niger. Chalfont St Peter, Bucks / Guilford, Connecticut: Bradt UK / Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 978-1-84162-152-4.:74, 75–79
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