Gambia : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

Muslim, Sufi : Birthday of the Prophet, Mohammed. For nine days there are Parties with fairs, feasting, and parades. Stories are told about how the mountains danced when Mohammed was born, and sang, There is no god but Allah. The trees answered, And Mohammed is his Prophet. Then 7,000 angels brought a golden vase filled with heavenly dew, and his mother bathed the new baby in it. Many stories like these are told to Arab children on the Prophet's Birthday, the happiest day in the Moslem year.

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Secular holiday :

Secular holiday : The world's most widely celebrated holiday, New Years was set on January 1 by Julius Caesar because that was the date the Roman consuls took over their duties. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

School holidays : Www.edugambia.gm

https://mis.edu.gm
Schooling in Gambia is mandatory till age 14
schools close on Saturday
school uniforms required
Five regions follow specific calendars

We carry confirmed dates till July 2024 in Banjul (different dates apply in the 5 other regions)

Please note that authorities may take last-minute decisions; please double-check if this information is vital to you
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School holidays :

cards/flowers : Introduced by Pope Gelasus in 498, perhaps in response to a local Roman tradition of lovers writing their names on an urn in February

Secular holiday : Independence from the UK in 1965. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

School holidays :

Tradeshows : Lasts 10 days - in Banjuls 2024 edition NOT confirmed

School holidays :

Catholic or protestant : The First Council of Nicaea (a gathering of bishops in the early days of Christianity) wanted to find a day to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. This commemoration had to be linked to Jewish holiday traditions, since the last supper of Christ was believed to be a Jewish Passover meal. But the Jewish calendar is based on lunar and solar cycles, so the Easter celebration had to follow the same calendar.