Senegal Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
10 Jan Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).
19 Jan Tamkharit (Ashoura).
20 Mar Prophet Mohammed's Birthday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
4 Apr Independence Day. 
1 May Labour Day.
1 May Ascension. 
12 May Whit Monday.
15 Aug Assumption.
2 Oct Korité (End of Ramadan). 
1 Nov All Saints' Day. 
9 Dec Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day. 
29 Dec Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
10 Jan Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).
19 Jan Tamkharit (Ashoura).
9 Mar Prophet Mohammed's Birthday.
4 Apr Independence Day. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Ascension. 
1 Jun Whit Monday.
15 Aug Assumption.
21 Sep Korité (End of Ramadan). 
1 Nov All Saints' Day. 
28 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day. 
29 Dec Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Korité (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Korité itself. Korité and Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.