Holidays Around The World � Central African Republic Holidays

Central African Republic Celebrates Republic Day

Noel — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:00:49 +0000

Republic Day Date: December 1

Republic Day in Central African Republic is a public holiday.

On December 1, 1958, the territory formerly known as Oubangui-Chari became an autonomous republic within the newly established French Community. Two years later, it was renamed the Central African Republic. Now the people of the country celebrate the formation of the republic every December 1.

Central African Republic’s Republic Day History

Slave trading and selling of local goods by chieftains of the African states in the Ubangi-Shari region to European companies proliferated during the first ten years of French colonial rule from 1900 to 1910. The rulers used their accords with France for their own benefit, obtaining more weaponry to take in more slaves. The consequence of the illegal trading of the locals by the chieftains during the early ten years of colonial rule was the depopulation of half of Ubangi-Shari.

In the second ten years of France’s imperial rule from 1910 to 1920, slave trading was significantly reduced. The reductions came as the dominance of local African rulers was ended by the armed people of private companies and as French rulers continued to use vicious means to confront the locals who defied forced labor.

A period of transition existed during the thirtieth year of French rule from 1920 to 1930. During this time, a network of roads was laid, plantations of cash crops were encouraged, and health services became mobile to tackle sleeping sickness. However, forced labor became more prevalent with the construction of the Congo-Ocean Railway.

In the fortieth year of France’s colonial rule from 1930 to 1940, coffee, cotton, and tea became the most important crops in Ubangi-Shari, and the mining of gold and diamonds also began. During the last ten years of French colonial rule from 1940-1950, political reforms followed in the wake of the Second World War.

On December 1, 1958, the protectorate of Ubangi-Shari became autonomous within France’s communities, and two years later it adopted the name Central African Republic.

Central African Republic’s Republic Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the celebrations, parades include every military, political, and social group in the community. One of the highlights of the event is the traditional pirogue or dugout canoe race of twenty or more boats. Traditional wrestlers and dancers also perform on the streets.

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Central African Republic Independence Day

Noel — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:17:11 +0000

Independence Day Date: August 13

Central African Republic celebrates Independence Day as a public holiday.

An Independence Day is also known as the birthday of the nation. It is celebrated annually to mark the country’s freedom from slavery of a dominant nation; it is the day when the nation becomes free and no more remains a part of any other state. In this day, there is a holiday all around the nation and so it is also known as a national holiday. Central African Republic is one of the countries, who celebrate this day on August 13. Let us know about the history and struggle of the Central African Republic (CAR), which they had to go through for achieving independence.

Central African Republic Independence Day History

It was in the nineteenth century that the European penetrated in Central Africa. Savorgnan de Brazza, who in order to have a France claim in the territory of Central Africa, had sent his expedition up the Ubangi River. On the other hand, there were nations like Belgium, Germany and United Kingdom, who wanted to claim the territory in Central African region.

The French, in 1889, got success in establishing the post on Ubangi River and even on CAR. After that, Brazza wished for expanding the borders of French Congo for linking up with some of the French territories. In 1894, French borders of German Cameroon and Congo were fixed by a pact. No sooner the European negotiators did agree on the borders of French Congo than the France had to find out the way for paying the costly occupation of the territory along with the development and administration of the same. The private companies and French administration together made an effort in order to compel Central Africans for working in their benefit.

During the French colonial rule in the first decade, they made the life miserable for the one, who didn’t have the power for putting up a resistance. In case of second decade, the colonial state and private companies continued for using harsh methods, but one good thing happen that local Africans rulers had no more power and so an end of slave raiding came.

The third decade marked the revolution road and all was built even some people died who were recruited to work on rails. Therefore, slowly decade-by-decade changes came and it was on 1 December 1958 that the colony of Ubangi-Shari became a free territory that too within the French Community and got the name Central African Republic. After Boganda’s death in 1959, his cousin became the president and it was on 13the August 1960 that CAR was granted independence.

Central African Republic Independence Day Traditions and Activities

People celebrate this day with great enthusiasm and excitement as this day was the one that got them freedom. Central African Republic is known for its traditions and they do their best to safeguard their traditions and culture The oral traditions of the Aka Pygmies of Central Africa is one of the things which are remarkable and beyond any comparison. The great enthusiasm and excitement that the people instill in this celebration is worth mentioning. Every single person of the population enjoys on this particular day to the maximum.

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African Liberation Day on the African continent

Carol — Wed, 25 May 2011 02:26:12 +0000

African Liberation Day: May 25

African Liberation Day is a public holiday in Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritania, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Africa celebrates the anniversary of the historic founding of Organization of African Unity (OAU), a day that is known all throughout the African world as African Liberation Day. Just like in other countries across the continent, African Liberation Day is celebrated annually every 25th of March.

History of African Liberation Day

The first pan-African meeting was held in Accra, Ghana where African leaders from independent states in Africa including Egypt, Sudan, Ghana, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Ghana, Libya, Cameroon, Morocco, and Algeria (representatives from National Liberation Front) have come together to call for universal independence of other African countries which were still under foreign control.

The conference led to the establishment of African Freedom Day, a holiday that reflects the march to freedom of African nations still under colonial status.

A little five years after the conference took place, a conference was again held on May 25, 1963 and attended by 32 independent African States and formed the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The Organization of African Unity (OAU) promotes oneness among African nations and their people and calls for the liberation of African nations by their colonial masters. Along with this meeting is the establishment of African Liberation Day, formally replacing African Freedom Day.

African Liberation Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

The African Liberation Day in Chad is celebrated with sports and dance contests. Musical activities are also organized at N’Djamena, the country’s capital. African Liberation Day is one of the most important holidays in many African countries and is considered a day of no work.

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Whit Monday Celebrated by Christians Around the Globe

Noel — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:00:41 +0000

Whit Monday: May 24

Whit Monday is a Christian holiday celebrated around the world.

Whit Monday, popularly known as the Monday of the Holy Spirit or Pentecost Monday, is a day celebrated by Christians around the world directly after the day of Pentecost. The holiday is considered moveable as its date is determined by the date of Easter in both the Eastern and Western forms of Christianity.

History of Whit Monday

Observed by Christians as early as the first century AD, Whit Monday is the day that the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples of Jesus Christ who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter, according to the New Testament. It gets its name from Whitsunday which is a reference to the white cloths worn by those who are newly baptized on Pentecost.

The word Pentecost derives from the Greek pentekoste, a reference to the fiftieth day. In ancient times, the feast of Pentecost was originally calculated with Easter Sunday being the first day of fifty, putting the feast of Pentecost on Pentecost Monday.

In recent years, Whit Monday’s status as a public holiday has changed in many countries. It’s no longer a public holiday in many of the former British colonies, and recently Ireland removed the public status of it. France changed its status in the mid-2000s to an unpaid word day with the lost funds being donated to charity. However, France re-instated it as a public holiday in 2008.

Whit Monday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Many countries throughout the world celebrate this day in their own local ways. Many hymns are sung during the services on Monday of the Holy Spirit in Eastern Orthodox Churches. After this period, the weeks start ritually on Mondays instead of Sundays until the next holy week which will conclude on a Saturday. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, many of the same rituals performed on Pentecost are again practiced on Wit Monday.

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Labour Day; May Day; Workers’ Day; Day of Kazak

Noel — Sun, 01 May 2011 06:00:14 +0000

May Day Date: May 1

May Day is celebrated throughout most of the world as a public holiday.

May 1 is considered as the Labour Day by almost all the nations of the world. The workers of the world celebrate this as an annual holiday. This day is the result of a massive labor union movement; this day celebrates the social and economic achievements of workers. This day is also known as May Day. Not only these two names, May 1 has many other names like Worker’s day, National Unification Day, Day of Kazak people’s Unity, Eid el-Ommal, etc.

History of May Day/Labour Day

The Eight-Hour day movement is the origin of the Labour Day. This movement advocated eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of recreation for workers everywhere. It was a revolution in that period.

In Europe, this day has a much older significance. This day is celebrated as a rural festival, which is primarily more important than the Labour Day movement. This is now an international holiday and various countries hold multi-day celebrations. Some of the countries conduct parades, patriotic and labour oriented events, and shows and other events on this day. On the other hand, in Northern Europe, Walpurgis Night is on this scheduled night, and this holiday combines with the Labour Day in some nations.

Although, May 1 is considered as the Labour Day in various nations, Germany celebrates it on May 2. In 1933, Labour Day was established as an official holiday after the Nazi Party came to power. It was expected that this day would prove to be the symbol of the newfound unity between the state and the people. The next day, that is on May 2, all the free unions were prohibited and outlawed by the Nazis. Yet, since workers celebrated the holiday for numerous decades before any official state approval, the Nazi Party’s endeavor to appropriate it left no more term offense.

Although this day has many names, but the essence of them all is the same – to honor the work force of the nation.

May Day/Labour Day Traditions and Celebrations

Time has changed; so the way of celebrating the day too. Throughout the rest of the world, there are May Day marches and rallies held out in the various part of the country. In England, a grand May Day march at the the famous Brewhouse Yard gardens starts near the Castle, Nottingham.

Even today celebration of May Day has a touch of ancient culture and tradition. The maypole is still one of the major features of the May festivities with distinctive interpretations. But whatever way you look at it the theme of the May Day celebration is all about celebrating the renewal of life with new hopes, new dreams and new resolutions. May Day flower baskets are made and treats are left at the thresholds of the loved ones as a token of good wishes and love to strengthen the bondage and to rekindle the lost touches.

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Central African Republic Remembers the Death of Barthelemy Boganda – FLAG OF Central African Republic

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:23:21 +0000

Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda: March 29

Death of Barthelemy Boganda is a public holiday in Central African Republic.

Central African Republic, a landlocked country in central Africa, celebrates the anniversary of the death of Barthelemy Boganda, a nationalist and a politician.

History of Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda

Barthelemy Boganda served as Ubangi-Shari’s (now Central African Republic) first prime minister in December 1958 when the country was still under an autonomous status. He served the French Fourth Republic, the government of France from 1946 to 1958.

As a premier politician and member of the French National Assembly, he rallied against racism against the Oubanguians by the French and the independence of Ubangi-Shari. His call for national unity and independence from France paved the way for the establishment of Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MESAN).

His efforts were granted by Charles de Gaulle, the then Prime Minister of France during the French Fourth Republic in 1958 when the head of France accepted Boganda’s proposal to create an independent Central African Republic. However, he was killed in a plane crash on March 29, 1959.

Various theories were formulated for the reason of his death but none of them were confirmed but there were proof that Boganda was assassinated when traces of explosives were found in the crash site.

A year later, full independence was realized when the French government granted Central African Republic’s full independence from French rule.

Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Public speeches abound during the anniversary of Boganda’s death with prominent politicians giving talks about the future of the country and the vision shared by Boganda to the establishment of a free Central African state. Since Boganda’s death is a public holiday, public offices are closed.

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New Year

Noel — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:41:57 +0000

New Year Date: January 01

New Year Day is celebrated worldwide.

New Year is an extravagantly celebrated festival in all the cultures in the world. Each culture celebrates New Year according to their calendar. Countries which follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year on January 1st every year which is considered the most festive day amongst all the other days of the year.

New Year History

During the Roman period the New Year was celebrated on the first day of March. Later in 47 BC, Julius Caesar made changes in the calendar and named it the Julian calendar. Marco Antonio and Augustus Caesar later modified the calendar in 44 BC and 8 BC respectively. Finally in the late 1582, Pope Gregory XIII modified the calendar to the form of the one that we all use these days.

January 1st is the first day in this calendar and is celebrated with great significance to it. The expansion of the Western culture all over the world then made January 1 a universally celebrated festival. The New Year which is celebrated worldwide is celebrated with huge fireworks and balloons etc. People wish each other for a very healthy and a prosperous year ahead.

Previously, in Jewish tradition, honey is used to represent a sweet New Year ahead, Rosh Hashana (New Year celebrations in the Jewish tradition). As the traditional meal for that holiday, apple slices are dipped in honey and eaten after a prayer and with blessings recited for a good, prosperous and sweet new year. Some Rosh Hashana greetings show an apple and honey, symbolizing the feast. In some other Jewish communities, small straws of honey are given out to usher in the New Year. The New Year feast which is always followed by the Christmas celebrations, the last week of the year is considered as a week of enjoyment and celebration in the winter season.

Many countries celebrate the New Year in a very grand way. This celebration usually consists of fireworks display and other parades and festivities. For example, London has a major fireworks display along the River Thames, followed by a parade on New Year’s Day. Once, Sydney which had more than half a million people present to witness the celebrations of New Year launched more than 80,000 fireworks at midnight. It was the highest watched celebration on tele-vision worldwide. In Valparaiso more than two million visitors witnessed the huge fireworks in a natural setting. A total of more than 21 kilometers of fireworks were set up on the bay, starting from the commercial port city of Valparaiso to Concon, Chile. These all were set up for 25 minutes of entertainment.

New Year Traditions and Activities

Usually in New York, the celebration is focused around a large crystal ball that slowly descends in a ten second countdown in Times Square, and last year was also the party with the largest number of attendees with more than three million people witnessing the New Year celebrations. Edinburgh plays host to one of the world’s largest Hogmanay (meaning ‘the last day of the year’) events. Celebration here lasts for four days and visitors from all around the globe are attracted to take part in the street parties and festivities, and attend the concerts which take place during midnight.

Important Facts about New Year

New Year is the only festival which is celebrated worldwide. Even though there is no special history behind the festival, all people around the world look forward for this celebration. New Year is a festival in which something innovative and better is done each and every year.

New Years Day is also known as:

New Year Celebrations
New Year Holidays