Holidays Around The World � Africa Holidays

Commemorating South Africa’s First Multiracial Election

Carol — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:29:49 +0000

South Africa’s Freedom Day: April 27

Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa.

The people of South Africa commemorate Freedom Day every 27th of April where the first election was held after the apartheid system was abolished in the country. Before this was instituted non-white constituent of South Africa had limited rights, under the apartheid law, to vote for their chosen political candidates.

Apartheid was later abolished following the general election that took place in 1994 instituting the, what was then known, as the first universal adult suffrage in South African nation.

History of South Africa’s Freedom Day

Under the supervision of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), South Africa conducted its first major and nationwide election in 1994 after the fall of the Apartheid policy. Freedom Day marks the first multiracial election on April 27, 1994 which gave way for Nelson Mandela to presidency. Mandela was the head of the African National Congress, a political party which won the majority of seats in the government during the first fully representative democratic election in 1994.

Mandela is an anti-apartheid activist who campaigned for the abolition of apartheid, a legal racial discrimination system in South Africa. He was put in prison in charges of political sabotage and other crimes against the apartheid policy and languished in prison for 27 years. In the day of his release in February 11, 1990, he worked his way to once again campaign for a fully represented democratic national election in South Africa and give way for all non-white constituents to vote for their chosen candidates.

It was noted that 19,726,579 voted during the first national election. A tripartite Government of National Unity was later established to work on the total abolition of Apartheid system in South Africa and cure some of the detrimental social issues plaguing the country.

South Africa’s Freedom Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During Freedom Day, a reenactment of the release of Nelson Mandela is usually held in front of Victor Verster, the place where Mandela spent the last day of his prison sentence.

Speeches and musical concerts are also held commemorating the eventful day which led to the release of Mandela and first multiracial election that happened in South Africa in 1994.

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Togo Marks Independence Day

Carol — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:26:58 +0000

Independence Day: April 27

Independence Day is a public holiday in Togo.

Togo marks April 27 the anniversary of its independence from France on April 27, 1960. The country was once a protectorate of Germany until the fall of the Germans against the invading French and British military forces. The country came under UN Trusteeship Territories under the mandate of France until its full independence on 1960.

History of Togo’s Independence Day

Togo was once an unfortunate victim of slave trade stating at the turn of the 16th century. One of the various tribes representing Togo that were badly hit during that time were the Mina’s thereby Togo earning the title “The Slave Coast.” With sound economic programs in the region, Togo became Germany’s model possession. It only ended after Germany’s fall in World War I.

The United Nations placed Togo under the care of France and Britain at the end of First World War in 1914. These mandates accorded to the above countries were later translated to UN Trust Territories after the abolition of League of Nations which originally gave France and Britain the authority to administer the land.

The country was divided into two regions: British administrative region and the French administrative region. Under a popular referendum, the British Togoland elected to join the present-day Ghana. Meanwhile, the French Togoland managed itself to become independent under the auspices of French Union.

Sylvanus Olympio was instrumental in Togo’s march to independence in 1960. He served Togo’s highest political post from 1958 until his untimely death in 1963 due to assassination. Nicolas Grunitzky later became an appointed president following Olympio’s death but was later replaced by Eyadema Gnassingbe through a bloodless military coup and serving as the country’s president from 1967 until 2005.

Togo’s Independence Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Togolese people celebrate Independence Day with usual march parade and speeches from president about the current condition of the country and how it stands compared with countries across Africa and the rest of the world. As with all other holidays in Togo, Independence day is a work-free day.

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Sierra Leone Wins Independence

Carol — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:16:10 +0000

Independence Day: April 27

Independence Day is a public holiday in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa, celebrates independence from foreign rule on April 27, 1961 after 150 years in the hands of Great Britain. The Duke of Kent was present when the British conferred independence to Sierra Leone.

History of Sierra Leone’s Independence Day

Until 1961, Sierra Leone has been a British Colony for more than 150 years. The history of the establishment of Sierra Leone is traced to a program called Black Poor that aims to resolve the slave trade plaguing Africa. Notable philanthropists in England spearheaded the plans of making Sierra Leone as a home for impoverished black in London and to eventually end the horrors of slave trade.

The philanthropists started the transfer of slaves from England to Sierra Leone in 1787. But the unfavorable living conditions made the new settlers suffer from diseases, pestilence, and harsh weather. This continued until the first half of the 19th century with hundreds and thousands of slaves are freed almost every year. The majority of the freed slaves stayed in Sierra Leone and considered it as a home.

Sierra Leone Company was established for the purpose of creating a hub for ex-slaves coming from Nova Scotia, England, and African Americans who served the British Crown during the American Revolution.

The British Parliament in 1807 signed a law making slave trade illegal. This has further intensified the influx of freed slaves from all parts of England and America to Sierra Leone. The constitution in 1954 allowed the election of members of the Legislative Councils in Sierra Leone until free election was allowed in 1954. The House of Representatives was later established in 1957.

The first prime minister was elected a year after and in 1960, the march to independence was sought in London with representatives headed by Milton Margai. Sierra Leone then became an independent nation in April 27, 1961.

Sierra Leone’s Independence Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Independence Day is festive event in Sierra Leone’s holiday calendar. During the holiday, the street is decorated with bunting bearing the flag’s national colors. Military parade in Freetown is a common event with contingents from schools and social organizations. Political speeches also abound during the holiday. Independence is a bank holiday in Sierra Leone; therefore, it is work-free.

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Malawi Freedom Day

Noel — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:00:33 +0000

Freedom Date: April 27

Freedom Day is celebrated in Malawi as a public holiday.

Freedom means the sense of equality and liberation from control. For most countries freedom meant release from colonial rule of the western countries, But for Africans it meant something else, freedom from apartheid.

Apartheid –
A way of segregation of races, (i.e.) Negroes and the whites. For nearly a century it had been just a practice in South Africa but later on it became official in 1948. With the inception of a new legislation the people were segregated into racial groups based on the colour of their skin and were also forcibly removed from their residences. Services like education, medical care that were provided were of extremely inferior compared to that provided for the whites ,not to mention even the permission to visit public places were severely controlled.

Freedom Date History

The legislation enforcing apartheid had various rules and acts which forbade inter-racial marriages, racial identification (i.e.) which was to have an identification card specifying the racial group the person belongs to. This suppression eventually led to various rebel groups and the formation of African National Congress. During the administration of P. W. Botha who became the prime minister in 1978 and led the white supremacist government various acts that would enable the whites to enforce their wills where passed. Severe actions were taken against the rebel leaders and most of them were executed. Whipping was made a legal punishment for almost all kinds of offences.

Nelson Mandela the great leader was imprisoned on grounds of political offences. Emergency was declared which enabled Botha to make rules without having them made as decrees. Eventually nature took its toll on Botha who suffered a stroke in 1989. F. W. de Klerk succeeded him as the new prime minister of South Africa. During the emergency rule of Botha and the civil war that had ensued the economy and trade had suffered great losses. In an attempt to make things alright and to end the civil war he called for negotiations with ANC.

Mandela was released from imprisonment after 26 years and the talks ensued. The Bisho massacre which had 29 people murdered and more than 200 people injured ensured that talks would go smoothly between Mandela and de Klerk to put an end to racial violence. De Klerk had arranged a meeting comprising of all whites and it was decided that apartheid would be abolished when the matter was put to vote. The abolishment issue had 67% of the whites supporting the cause. Finally Apartheid was abolished and the elections which had parties of different races competing were held. Until then only the whites were allowed to participate in Elections.

The 1994 elections were hailed by the international community and the African National Congress led by Nelson Mandela acquired power with overwhelming majority, thus ending the suffering of millions of blacks in South Africa. This Victory was celebrated not only as the end of apartheid but as the victory of humanity. The day of this revolutionary election April 27, 1994 is celebrated as the day of independence and freedom of South Africa, The Freedom Day of South Africa.

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Tanzania Commemorates Union Day

Carol — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:32:56 +0000

Union Day: April 26

Union Day is a public holiday in Tanzania.

The celebration of Tanzania’s Union Day occurs every 26th of April every year. It commemorates the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.

History of Tanzania’s Union Day

Tanzania, a country in central East Africa is a unitary republic composed between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. In fact, the name Tanzania is a portmanteau of the two republic who later joined together to form the name of the country as it is known today.

In the late 1800s, Germany occupied part of the present-day Tanzania including those of the nearby western African neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Burundi. The occupation continued until after Germany’s fall in the Second World War I against the British. The League of Nations gave Britain the mandate over the region until the British peacefully released and gave the country a chance for self-government in 1961.

Tanganyika is the first one to receive its independence from Britain. Britain formally established the area independent on December 9, 1961. Two years later, on January 12, 1964, Zanzibar obtained its independence.

Julius Kambarage Nyerere, a famous Tanganyikan politician, organized the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). Its goal was to gain political and national independence from Britain in 1961. His wishes were eventually granted by Britain, and before the end of 1961, Tanganyika was made independent and he was made the first prime minister in the region.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar declared independent on 1963 after it overthrew the Arab dynasty during the Zanzibar Revolution. Due to shared political goals of the two regions, the two united on April 26, 1964.

Tanzania’s Union Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Parades with contingents from schools and other government and non-governmental organizations swarm the major streets of Tanzania during the celebration. The government holds ceremonial speeches to commemorate the merging of the two states to form a unified republic with shared goal and vision.

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Swaziland Celebrates National Flag Day

Carol — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:35:34 +0000

National Flag Day: April 25

National Flag Day is a public holiday in Swaziland.
Swaziland, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, dedicates April 25th as a celebration on the date when Swaziland’s Flag was raised and British Flag was brought down after it obtained independence from Great Britain in 1968. This holiday is known as National Flag Day.

History of Swaziland’s National Flag Day

At the dawn of the 20th century and at the start of Anglo Boer War, Swaziland became a British protectorate although British rule in the country already started in the early 19th century.

Great Britain already signed an agreement recognizing the independence of the country in 1881. It did not materialize though because of a conflict of land and mineral rights use with that of the Transvaals’ (South African Republic, Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, or ZAR). It is important to note that the country was placed under ZAR’s administration in the late 20th century and ended only when the Anglo Boer war started.

The start of Swaziland’s quest to independence started in 1960s when Britain officially announced the creation of Swaziland constitution which laid the foundation for its eventual independence. From there, the legislative Council and the Executive Council were formed as stated in the initial declaration despite of the opposition from Swazi National Council.

The Legislative Council of Swaziland was established on September 9, 1964. Numerous ratifications and changes in the original constitution followed including the provision to the creation of the House of Assembly and Senate. Official declaration to Swaziland’s independence was made on September 6, 1968. Elections followed a year after.

Swaziland’s National Flag Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Some of the popular activities in National Flag Day include the hoisting of flags in major cities and towns in Swaziland including Lobamba and Mbabane. Organized parade and speeches made by local government officials abound during the celebration. Since this is a public holiday, government offices are closed.

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Egypt’s Eid Tahrir Sinai

Carol — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:29:05 +0000

Eid Tahrir Sinai: April 25

Eid Tahrir Sinai is a public holiday in Egypt.

Egypt’s Eid Tahrir Sinai or Sinai Liberation Day is a public holiday in Egypt celebrated every 25th of April yearly. The holiday commemorates the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Sinai as stipulated in the 1979 Israel- Egypt Peace Accords.

The holiday also commemorates the life of Anwar Sadat, the hero of the liberation of Sinai.

History of Egypt’s Eid Tahrir Sinai

Sinai has been a battle ground for many incoming military forces namely, the Ottoman, and British empires, and later the Israelis which invaded the area twice in 1956 (Suez War) and 1967 (Six Day War). Sinai also was the battlefront in the 1973 October War between Egypt and Israel.

Egypt initially lost Sinai during the three wars it fought against Israel. Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat was instrumental in regaining Sinai when the two countries signed the Israel and Egypt peace treaty in 1979. It was signed in Washington DC in the US on March 26, 1979. This made Egypt officially recognize Israel as a country amidst criticisms and threat of military attack from member countries of the Arab League some including countries in Europe such as Hungary, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Albania.

Sadat made intense negotiations to totally bring peace in the region and stop Egypt-Israel infighting in Sinai. He was awared Nobel Peace Prize together with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in the signing of Camp David Accords and the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty.

Egypt’s Eid Tahrir Sinai: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Sinai’s Liberation Day, although a national holiday, is only celebrated in Sinai. A national parade is organized every year during the holiday commemorating the pulling out of Israel’s troops from Sinai’s soil. Government offices in Sinai are closed including schools during the holiday.

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Swaziland Celebrates King’s Birthday

Carol — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:03:09 +0000

King’s Birthday: April 19

King’s Birthday is a public holiday in Swaziland.

The people of Swaziland celebrate the birthday of Mswati III (Makhosetive), the present head of the Swazi Royal Family, on the 19th of April every year. Makhosetive was born on April 19, 1968 and the only son of her mother Inkhosikati Ntombi Tfwala and King Sobhuza II who passed away on August 21, 1982 at the age of 82.

History of Swaziland’s King’s Birthday

Swaziland is the only country in the world known to be the last absolute monarchies on earth, at least in Africa. The king appoints the prime minister and cabinet members. He also controls the legislative portion of the state. Because Makhosetive was born on the same year when United Kingdom (UK) granted independence to Swaziland on September 6, 1968, the celebration of independence also coincides with his birthday.

His father, the Late King Sobhuza, also shares a date in Swaziland’s holiday calendar where his birthday is celebrated publicly every 22nd of July yearly. The sphere of influence of the entire Swazi monarch encompasses all facets of Swaziland’s life and culture.

Swaziland’s King’s Birthday: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the King’s birthday, the national football stadium is usually reserved for festive celebration for foreign guests invited by Makhosetive. Makhosetive has long been criticized for his extravagant spending usually in millions of US dollars especially on his birthday and unaccounted shopping sprees abroad with his wives despite the increasing number of unemployment, widespread hunger, and the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. But despite of his lavish spending, he is loved and respect by the majority of Swazis.

The King is also known for practicing polygamy as dictated by Swazi Royal tradition. As of February 2010, Makhosetive currently have 14 wives. The King’s Birthday of Swaziland is a public holiday; public offices are closed during the celebration.

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Zimbabweans Celebrate Independence Day on April 18

Carol — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:40:36 +0000

Independence Day of Zimbabwe: April 18

Zimbabwe’s Independence Day is a public holiday in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabweans remember the anniversary of their country’s independence from foreign rule on the 18th of April yearly.

History of Zimbabwe’s Independence Day

Zimbabwe was annexed by a number of colonizers such as Portugal, the Ndebele, and later the United Kingdom (UK). The greatest struggle was that of the former partially ending its colonial power on November 11, 1965 in the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia (present day Zimbabwe). However the UK officially recognized its full independence on April 18, 1980 where Robert Mugabe took the head of state post after independence.

Zimbabwe was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (present day Malawi) formed on August 1, 1953. It was dissolved on December 31, 1963 due to the growing tensions among the people of Nyasaland and Rhodesia. Republic of Rhodesia was established in 1970 but it was only South Africa which recognizes the country’s independence as UK did not recognize it as a legitimate republic just yet.

Ian Smith, the first prime minister of Rhodesia, was the author of Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). Smith’s action has caused Zimbabwe huge economic sanctions from the powerful members of the United Nations when negotiations between Smith and UK failed to achieve favourable result in both governments.

In February of 1980, elections were held where Robert Mugabe became the first head of the government after independence. This is followed by the country’s formal declaration of independence in April 18, 1980.

Zimbabwe’s Independence Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the celebration, the government holds its usual ceremonial speeches and military parade along with the public air exhibition of fighter planes in the sky in the country’s capital, Harare.

Public celebrations are usually held at National Sports Stadium or at the Rufaro Sports Stadium. Releasing white doves has become a tradition during the holiday symbolizing peace across the nation while singing Zimbabwe’s national anthem ‘Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe’ (‘Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe’).

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Orthodox Christians Celebrate Orthodox Easter Monday

Noel — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:00:42 +0000

Orthodox Easter Monday: April 16

Orthodox Easter Monday is a religious observance for Orthodox Christians all over the world.

Easter Monday is the second day of Bright Week for Orthodox Christians, and it follows immediately after Easter Sunday. It is also the first day of the Pentecostarian, the 50 days after Easter that end with the day of Pentecost.

History of Orthodox Easter Monday

Even though Easter Sunday is the day of celebration of the resurrection of Christ, soon Christian communities discovered that one day to celebrate such a great event wasn’t enough and extended the celebration of the resurrection to one week. The same celebratory tone is given to the liturgy and religious practices, and the events are considered to be part of one continuous day.

For Orthodox Christians, Easter Sunday starts what is known as Bright Week, or Renewal Week, symbolizing the new light that came forth in their lives from the resurrection of Jesus and the renewed opportunity to a fruitful life with Christ. The second day of Bright Week is Easter Monday. It is a national holiday in many Orthodox Christian countries and serves not only to continue the celebrations of Easter Sunday but also to slowly re-enter the rhythm of work and studies.

This tradition resembles that of Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday on which, before the period of fasting during Lent season, are celebrations and preparations for the following day’s more serious tone. So Easter Monday is a day to rejoice and come out from fasting and eat the blessed foods from the previous liturgical celebration on Sunday.

Orthodox Easter Monday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Easter Monday continues with the celebrations of Easter Sunday and is considered to be as if it is the same day with some minor changes in the liturgical celebrations. In Orthodox Christian churches the altar is separated by a screen from the nave, where the faithful attend the liturgical services.

This screen is called the iconostasis. The doors on the iconostasis are closed and only the high clergy can pass through them. During Easter Monday, and all throughout Bright Week, these doors are open.

Easter Monday is a day to rejoice and enjoy the fact that the rules of fasting have been lifted and within the same spirit of recollection and prayer everything can be eaten again. It is common to eat the Pascha, which is a dish made of cheese and eggs, with other ingredients, that are forbidden to be eaten during the days of the Great Fasting. Easter eggs colored red to symbolize the blood of Christ are also eaten on Easter Monday.

In Greece it is an important tradition to gather the whole family on this day and roast a lamb. In Russia during Bright Week all taverns used to be closed and no alcohol was allowed to be sold, but the lighter mood of Bright Week has since taken hold.

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