Holidays Around The World � Africa Holidays

Burundi Observes Unity Day

Noel — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:00:56 +0000

Unity Day: February 5

Unity Day is a public holiday in Burundi.

In the late 1950s, Burundi sought to separate itself from Belgium. During the independence movement, members of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes clashed in neighboring Rwanda, spilling over into Burundi. This sparked decades of large-scale conflict between members of the two tribes. With focus on a new constitution of unity in 1992, Unity Day was born in Burundi and celebrated for the first time with hopes of finally bringing the tribal conflict to an end.

History of Unity Day in Burundi

The people of Burundi wanted independence from Belgium, and in 1959, then leader Mwami Mwambutsa IV championed the movement. Yet late in the year, violence was sparked with a disagreement between Hutu teachers and Tutsi military personnel. Both Tutsi and Hutu in both Burundi and Rwanda fled across borders but were caught in the crossfire as Hutu in Rwanda killed Tutsi and Tutsi took vengeance on Hutus in Burundi.

The country went on to claim independence on July 1, 1962, setting up equal representation in the new government between Hutu and Tutsi. Yet the violence spread farther as Hutu forces took control of the country, forcing out Tutsi representation for fear of death through ethnic persecution.

After the king, Mwami Mwambutsa IV, refused to recognize the new Hutu prime minister in 1965, tensions spread. A series of coup attempts, assassinations, and military takeovers shifted power back and forth between the two groups over the next two decades, leading to the death of tens of thousands of Hutu and Tutsi. In 1987, Major Pierre Buyoya, a Tutsi, overthrew the military regime and slowly set about to rectify a number of issues within the government.

This culminated in the form of a new constitution on March 13, 1992 with a strong focus on national unity but with the recognition of the great cultural and ethnic diversity found within the Burundian population. Under the new constitution, registration for political parties was allowed but without any identification with ethnic, religious, or gender groups, a move made to strip some of the inherent biases and discrimination found at the time.

This sense of national unity found during the creation of the constitution led to the celebration of the first Unity Day in 1992. With 88 percent of people voting for a referendum that would abolish hatred along ethnic lines, Buyoya declared every February 5 then on to be celebrated as Unity Day.

Burundi’s Unity Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Opinions vary among the citizens of Burundi regarding the effectiveness of Unity Day and attempts to bring Hutu and Tutsi together. Unity Day in 2009 held specific relevancy, however, after a peace deal was brokered between the government and the final active rebel group Forces for National Liberation on December 4, 2008, marking a tentative end to a long period of conflict.

Sandrine Irankunda, a Burundian vendor, told Reuters on 2009’s Unity Day: “I can see that things have changed compared to the last few years, because there were divisions between Burundians. But now, there is more unity.”

But businesswoman Abiba Nduwimana disagreed, telling Reuters: “Ethnic hate between people has reduced; that’s the only thing I can say that has changed. But otherwise, we still have the same problems.”

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Sao Tome and Principe’s Liberty Heroes’ Day

Noel — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:05:38 +0000

Liberty Heroes’ Day: February 3

Liberty Heroes’ Day is a public holiday Sao Tome and Principe.

Just like any other countries, Sao Tome and Principe celebrates their yearly National Heroes’ Day held every 3rd of February. This yearly celebration serves as the country’s formal day to remember the remarkable bravery of their countrymen who battled to achieve their independence from Portugal on July 12, 1975.

History of Sao Tome and Principe and its Liberty Heroes’ Day

Sao Tome is Sao Tome and Principe’s capital city. The name is of Portuguese origin which means Saint Thomas, since it was founded by Portugal in 1485.

When Portugal first came across Sao Tome and Principe on 1472, it was transformed by the Portuguese rulers into a large plantation of sugar thus enslaving the natives. Fifty years after the discovery of Portugal on Sao Tome and Principe, on 1522, the country was declared as under the Portuguese colony. Followed by the colonization was the declaration of Portuguese colonies to become Portugal’s overseas province.

Because of the ruthless treatment that Sao Tome and Principe underwent with the ruling power of Portugal, the citizens attempted to establish several liberalization movements however, failed several times.

On the attempt to gain independence, the natives of Sao Tome established the Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP) and from then, the Portuguese government made an agreement for the termination of its overseas colonies.

On July 12 1975, Sao Tome and Principe was finally freed from the Portuguese regime electing Manuel Pinto da Costa as the country’s first president.

Liberty Heroes’ Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

To date, the Sao Tomeans continue to look up to the heroes’ which made their independence possible. Yearly during this event, a lot of non-governmental organizations are organizing events and rallies as one way of giving respect and devotion to their national heroes.

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Heroes’ Day in Mozambique

Carol — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:45:17 +0000

Heroes’ Day: February 3

Heroes’ Day is a public holiday in Mozambique.

Mozambique celebrates Heroe’s Day yearly every 3rd day of February. It was instituted to commemorate the lives of fallen soldiers who fought bravely for the country’s independence in 1975 specifically to the assassinated leader of Mozambican independence movement political party, Eduardo Mondlane.

History of Heroes’ Day

When Mozambique was still under Portuguese rule, a guerrilla group called Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), a political party formed in 1962 under the leadership of Eduardo Mondlane, initiated a campaign to fight for the country’s independence. This war, later called Portuguese Colonial War, lasted from 1961–1974.

Initially, Portuguese concentrated their control on urban centers while the FRELIMO guerrillas took control of rural and tribal areas in the northern and western part of Mozambique. To receive local support for the liberation of Mozambique, FRELIMO began conducting social and economic improvement on the lives of the people on the controlled territory in the northern portion of the country. In one unfortunate event, Mondlane was assassinated in his office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by Portuguese secret police. Through the resistance and persistence to achieve independence of the ensuing FRELIMO leadership, the country achieved its independence from Portugal on June 25, 1975.

Heroes’ Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Mozambique’s Heroes’ Day official name is Dia dos Heróis Moçambicanos. Heroes’ Day is a public holiday celebrated with parades and with speeches from various political groups aiming to support an equal or Marxist way of life for all Mozambique citizens.

Mozambican Heroes’ Day reminds all Mozambique citizens to pay homage to the sacrifices given by FRELIMO leader Eduardo Mondlane in bringing independence to the country’s more than four century colonial rule from Portugal, Samora Machel, the first president of Mozambique and other organizations who aimed for the liberation of the country for foreign rule.

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Orthodox New Year Celebrated by Orthodox Christians

Noel — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:30 +0000

Orthodox New Year: January 14

Orthodox New Year is a religious observance for Orthodox Christians all over the world.

Orthodox New Year is also known as Old New Year. The New Year falls on January 1 on the old Julian calendar, corresponding to January 14 on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it will remain as such until 2100. Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar that was the effective calendar before the appearance of the Gregorian calendar edited by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.

History of Orthodox New Year

Julius Cesar introduced the Julian calendar as a reform to the Roman calendar in 46 BC. This was the widely accepted calendar until the twentieth century, when it was replaced by the Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Some countries (mostly Roman Catholic countries) immediately adopted the new calendar, while others took some time to adopt it. Orthodox Churches nowadays use a revised Julian calendar to calculate the dates of their main celebrations.

Celebrations of New Year by the Orthodox countries are mainly marked by religious services dedicated to the circumcision of Jesus Christ, while on the more secular side, people celebrate New Year in the same fashion as everywhere else in the world. The Orthodox Church always tries to set a tone of moderation to New Year celebrations since these celebrations still fall under the days of Christmas season.

Orthodox New Year Traditions, Customs and Activities

As in many other countries, even though the date changes, the spirit of New Year is the same. It is a time when Orthodox countries look back on the year that ended and look with hope to the New Year that is about to start. It is a day that is spent among family and friends. Religious services are attended to celebrate the feast of the circumcision of Jesus. Orthodox churches organize parties and dinners for the entire congregation. Some churches use these dinners to promote charity events and gather funds for projects to start during the New Year.

In the ex-Russian republics, it is believed that on this day all their problems from the previous year will leave them with success arriving at their door during the New Year. In Orthodox Greece and Russia, the secular New Year date follows the Gregorian calendar, and the date of January 14 is mainly for religious celebrations. Even so, there are fireworks on this date as well as gatherings of family and friends around the table to enjoy a peaceful meal.

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Republic Day Commemorated in the Republic of the Congo

Noel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:59 +0000

Republic Day: December 31

Republic Day is a public holiday in the Congo.

Republic Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Congo to reflect on the country’s history with pride.

History of Republic Day

The Republic of the Congo (simply known as the Congo) is a country in Central Africa that is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Zaire. The country celebrates Republic Day on December 31 of each year to remember when it was officially named as the first “people’s republic” of Africa.

Congo did not become a republic until 1968, even though it gained independence in 1960. Prior to these times, Congo was a large commercial hub for trade between the Bantu kingdom and European merchants along the Congo River. These two groups traded various commodities, manufactured goods, and slaves captured from the hinterlands. But, when the Europeans began to completely settle within the country, the Bantu groups and other kingdoms slowly phased out of Congo, and the French had ultimate control.

Once France gained control, it created French Equatorial Africa (a group of countries from Central Africa), chose the federal capital of the region (Brazzaville), and created an economic development strategy to expand the Congo’s infrastructure. The French administration benefited from these implementations.

It was after these changes were implemented that Congo gained its independence as the Congo Republic in 1960. Nine years afterwards, President Ngouabi proclaimed Congo to be Africa’s first “people’s republic”. This proclamation gave the country a source of pride, and to this day this pride has been celebrated.

Congo Republic Day Public Traditions, Customs, and Activities

Republic Day continues to be a source of pride for the country. The day brings people of all backgrounds together as proud citizenship of the country. The day usually starts out with memorial marches to remember this day in history, but ends with local celebrations.

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Harvest Day Celebrated in Benin

Noel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:07 +0000

Harvest Day: December 31

Harvest Day is a public holiday in Benin.

The end of the year is a time for celebration in Benin, marking the end of the harvest season and causing people to be thankful for all that has been gathered from the fields. It is also the start of the dry season, in particular in the northern regions of Benin.

History of Harvest Day in Benin

The economy of Benin is underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, with about a third of the population living below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day. It is easy to understand how important it is to the Beninois to have a good harvest every year. How thankful they must be when the harvest seasons ends and the sacks are full.

These feelings originated the beginning of Harvest Day, going back to when several groups from all over Africa found in those lands protection from the slave trade during the 16th century. The origin of the harvest festival isn’t easy to trace, but it is believed to be come from the rituals of the African tribes that converged in Benin. During the rituals, adults would not only give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season, but also young girls and boys would meet and get acquainted. Girls would show their beauty, and boys would display their strength with games.

Benin’s Harvest Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Harvest Day is celebrated within the Benin Festival that happens at the end of the rainy season in Benin. (It corresponds with the end of the year in the Gregorian calendar.) The festival gives thanks through joyous dances and singing for the year’s bounty. Villagers gather and are united in this feeling of gratitude as they prepare for the dry season and enter the New Year.

For the more wealthy families it is also an opportunity to have their eligible bachelors in the family participate in the festival to find a partner. Usually this occurs every four years. In the past, girls would wear no clothes, but today they are clothed with fine garments, heavy armlets, leg ornaments, and coral beads in the hair. Boys and girls have elaborate paintings put on their bodies, and the boys take part in displays of strength in games like tug-of-war.

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Republic Day Observed in Madagascar

Noel — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:00:19 +0000

Republic Day: December 30

Republic Day is a public holiday in Madagascar.

Republic Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Madagascar to remember the era that changed things for the better of the country.

History of Republic Day in Madagascar

Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world, lies in the Western Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. A central chain of high mountains called the Hauts Plateaux occupies more than half of the main island, and the mountains are responsible for making the east and west coasts of Madagascar so different.

The capital of the island is Antananarivo. The primary languages on the island are Malagasy, French, and English. The people of Madagascar have very traditional religious views, practicing Christianity, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and some Islam.

On December 30, 1975, the Republic of Madagascar was officially formed and this is celebrated as a public holiday by the country. However, forming the Republic of Madagascar was not an easy, quick task. The country survived much turmoil and violence before it reached some stability.

For years, the French had total control of Madagascar. After the French bombarded the country in 1883, they began to set up government and rules that were not appreciated, but they were accepted in order to keep the peace. They overthrew monarchies and ended all notions of secret organizations and potential conspiracies in order to keep power. The French held control during World War II, a time filled with many major attempted uprisings against them.

It wasn’t until 1972 that things started to improve. Tsiranana, president of Madagascar at the time, handed over power to General Gabriel Ramanantsoa, who became the country’s prime minister. Afterwards, Ramanantsoa’s plan to rule was overwhelmingly approved and things began to change for the better. Ramanantsoa freed political prisoners jailed by Tsiranana and began to reduce French influence in the country. Finally in 1975, a new constitution was approved that renamed the island to the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.

Madagascar’s Republic Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Every year, the holiday is celebrated on December 30. Madagascans observe this day as the day when the country started to become a region of peace. Many celebrations and festivals are held to honor this day.

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Family Day Observed in São Tomé

Noel — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:00:48 +0000

Family Day: December 25

Family Day is a public holiday in São Tomé.

In São Tomé e Principe, December 25 is celebrated as Family Day, a holiday likely created as an alternative to Christmas. It is a public holiday not only in São Tomé but also in other African countries like Angola and South Africa.

History of Family Day in São Tomé

The origin of Family Day on the islands of São Tomé e Principe isn’t clear. Some countries have historically picked up holidays from other countries, and in São Tomé it may have happened in the same way.

For instance, in Canada the story of Family Day started in the 1990s, when Premier Don Getty was facing a family scandal about his son being arrested for possession and use of cocaine. When the case was published in the papers, Getty expressed regret and took the blame for not spending enough time with his family. In response, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Helen Huntley, instituted Family Day to promote quality time between family members.

Sometime during the 1970s in Manhattan, a similar story set into motion a movement that led the UN General Assembly to put their efforts behind proposals to create a Global Family Day. In a public school of Manhattan, four children were talking about the year 2000, believing that by that year, all the people in the world would come together in one day in peace and friendship to celebrate and grow closer. Twenty-five years later that conversation inspired a novel entitled “Tree Island” by the mother of one of those children.

The book motivated the author to gather in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains a group of fifty millennium groups from around the world to dedicate themselves to make the turning of the millennium a turning point for humanity, and January 1 was then instituted as World Peace Day and Family Day.

Like in São Tomé, Family Day may be celebrated on other dates, and it usually falls near another holiday so that it gives families a complimentary day aside from the regular holiday for more time to be together.

São Tomé’s Family Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The day blends with the Christmas celebrations in São Tomé e Principe. It’s a day that families usually spend together while different organizations try to promote family values through meetings and gatherings. Since in São Tomé there are several religious tendencies, Christians follow the Christian traditions for Christmas Day, ones that tend to focus on the family. For other religions Family Day is an alternative to Christmas Day, and it is an opportunity to spend time with friends and family alike. You can expect on this day a lavish table of Portuguese-inspired dishes like roasted goat, chicken, or beef served with palm oil, and bottled beverages, which are a luxury in this poverty-ridden country.

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National Unity Day Commemorated in Zimbabwe

Noel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:00:26 +0000

National Unity Day: December 22

National Unity Day is a public holiday in Zimbabwe.

On December 22, Zimbabwe celebrates the signing by Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo of the Unity Accord in 1987, done to end the nationwide conflict between the ZANU and ZAPU parties that had Zimbabwe divided since 1963.

History of National Unity Day in Zimbabwe

Gukurandi—literally translated as “the early rain that washes away the chaff before the spring rains”—was the name given to a conflict that caused the death or disappearance of almost 20,000 Zimbabweans. Most of the dead during the war were shot in public executions.

The Zimbabwe African People’s Union was the main liberation party in Zimbabwe during the Rhodesian Bush War, and in 1963, the ZAPU divided into two parties; the group that split away was later named the Zimbabwe African National Union, or ZANU. When Zimbabwe became independent, the two armies distrusted each other and could not be integrated together into the National Army.

Problems erupted with violent fights nationwide. In the 1980 elections, ZANU won 57 out of 100 seats, and Robert Mugabe became prime minister of Zimbabwe. On December 22, 1987, Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, the respective leaders of ZANU and ZAPU, decided to get together and put an end to the war. However, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the conflict was put to rest, bringing relief and peace to Zimbabwe. The parties would then merge, and Nkomo would later become vice-president of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s National Unity Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The historic Unity Accord that unified Zimbabwe is celebrated every year on December 22. There are political speeches from all parties and government officials, both congratulating the fact that they could move forward together with a unified Zimbabwe, a county that to this day still struggles with its wounds from the past. All over the country there are government-sponsored activities, yet most Zimbabweans don’t give much importance to the occasion since it seems more like a day for political propaganda.

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São Tomé Day Celebrated in São Tomé e Príncipe

Noel — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:00:48 +0000

São Tomé Day: December 21

São Tomé Day is a public holiday in São Tomé e Príncipe.

On December 21, the islands of São Tomé and Principe celebrate the day that they were discovered by Portuguese navigators in 1470. The day also has a religious significance since it is also the day of Saint Thomas, from whom the islands take the name and celebrate their Catholic identity.

History of São Tomé Day

São Tomé and Principe were inhabited islands before they were found by Portuguese navigators around 1470. The islands were discovered by João de Santarem and Pedro Escobar. The duo found that the islands were perfect for settlements and made convenient commercial bases for trade with mainland Africa. The date given for the discovery is December 21, the day of Saint Thomas, or Tomé in Portuguese.

By the late 1950’s, São Tomé and Principe started to demand independence from the Portuguese, São Tomeans formed a liberation movement that later in 1974 would achieve independence. After the 1974 revolution in Portugal, the people removed the dictatorship and gave freedom to all colonies in Africa, including São Tomé and Principe, through the Argel Accords.

São Tomé Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

In São Tomé e Principe celebrations mean color, music, dance, and food. In the morning the President and politicians gather in the city of São Tomé, capital of São Tomé e Principe, to give rousing speeches. They leave the stage open afterwards for music and dance, the people’s primary way of expression. Around the island, families gather to eat dishes of fish with vegetables and calulu, a dish made with layers of dried fish and fresh fish served with beans. Additionally, plantains and bananas are cooked in many different ways to supplement the calulu.

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