Public holidays in Tanzania

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Public holidays in Tanzania are in accordance with the Public Holidays Ordinance (Amended) Act,[1] 1966 and are observed throughout the nation.

Background

The Public Holidays Ordinance (Amended) Act, 1966 lists twelve public holidays in its schedule. At present, Tanzania has a total of seventeen public holidays:[2] eight religious holidays, three national holidays, two commemorating the death anniversaries of the inaugural leaders of its constituent states and the remaining four of other national importance.

The President of Tanzania may declare additional holidays at his or her discretion, for example, during the general election day. The President of Zanzibar may do the same within the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar.[3] A recent example of this was on 4 November 2015 where President Kikwete announced a national holiday for the next day to celebrate Magufuli winning the presidential election.[4]

General list[5][6]

Key
Religious holiday
Date Name
1 January New Year's Day
12 January Zanzibar Revolution Day
Zanzibar Revolutionary Day

(End of the Sultanate of Zanzibar)
7 April Karume Day
Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day

(Assassination of Zanzibari President Abeid Karume)
Friday before Easter Good Friday
Monday after Easter Easter Monday
26 April Union Day

(The unification of Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar in 1964)
1 May Labour Day
International Worker’s Day
7 July Saba Saba Day
Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair Day
Industry’s Day[7]
8 August Nane Nane Day
Farmer’s Day
Wakulima ya Nane Nane
Peasant’s Day
14 October Nyerere Day
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Day

(Death anniversary of Julius Nyerere, the father of the nation)
9 December Independence Day
(End of British rule in 1961)
25 December Christmas Day
26 December Boxing Day
12 Rabi' al-awwal Maulid
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
Birth of the Prophet
Eid-Milad Nnabi
Maulid an-Nabī
1 Shawwal Eid al-Fitr
Breaking the Fast
10 Dhu al-Hijja Eid al-Hajj
Eid al-Adha
Feast of the Sacrifice
Total:
17 days

List for 2020

Key National holiday
Religious holiday
A banner with Maulid greetings in Kisutu, Dar es Salaam.
Revolution Day military parade at Amaan Stadium in Unguja, Zanzibar.
Date Name Notes
1 January New Year's Day
12 January Zanzibar Revolution Day Marking the end of the Sultanate of Zanzibar
7 April Karume Day Commemoration of the assassination of Zanzibari President Abeid Karume
Friday of Holy Week
March or April 		Good Friday Commemorating the Crucifixion of Jesus
Monday after Easter
March or April 		Easter Monday Day compensating for the Sunday commemoration of the resurrection of Christ
26 April Union Day The unification of Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar in 1964
1 May Labour Day
1 Shawwal Eid al-Fitr Marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan
Breaking of the Fast
7 July Saba Saba Day[8] Climax of the annual Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair
8 August Nane Nane Day Farmers' Day
14 October Nyerere Day Commemoration of the death anniversary of Julius Nyerere, the father of the nation
12 Rabi' al-awwal Maulid Day Observance of the birth anniversary of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
9 December Independence Day Celebrating the end of British rule in 1961
25 December Christmas Day Commemoration of the birth of Jesus
26 December Boxing Day

List for 2016

Key National holiday
Religious holiday
Date Name Notes
1 January New Year's Day
12 January Zanzibar Revolution Day Marking the end of the Sultanate of Zanzibar
25 March Good Friday Commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus
28 March Easter Monday Commemorating the resurrection of Jesus
7 April Karume Day Commemoration of the assassination of Zanzibari President Abeid Karume
26 April Union Day The unification of Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar in 1964
1 May Labour Day
7 July Saba Saba Day Climax of the annual Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair
6 July* Eid al-Fitr Marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan (2 days)
8 August Nane Nane Day Farmers' Day
12 September* Eid al-Adha
14 October Nyerere Day Commemoration of the death anniversary of Julius Nyerere, the father of the nation
9 December Independence Day Celebrating the end of British rule in 1961
24 December* Maulid Day Observance of the birth anniversary of Muhammad
25 December Christmas Day Commemoration of the birth of Jesus
26 December Boxing Day

* denotes subject to the sighting of the moon

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Public Holidays Ordinance (Amended) Act, 1966" (PDF). Parliament of Tanzania. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  2. ^ "PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN TANZANIA 2017". Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania Washington D.C. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  3. ^ "JK: It's public holiday to celebrate Z'bar Revolution". The Guardian. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania - Tovuti Rasmi ya Rais". ikulu.go.tz. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
  5. ^ "Public Holidays 2023" (PDF). Bank of Tanzania. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Public Holidays". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Saba Saba Day in Tanzania in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "Saba Saba Day in Tanzania in 2021". Office Holidays. Retrieved August 23, 2020.