Senegal: Events

Senegal celebrates both Christian and Muslim holidays. Since the Islamic (or Hejira) calendar is based on the lunar cycle, it is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Islamic holidays and festivals fall therefore 11 days earlier each year. The beginning of the Muslim New Year (local name Tamkharit) is celebrated in January over the next years. On that day, you'll see children walking from house to house, singing and asking for small gifts of money. Eid al-Moulid celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed - in March over the coming years. Ramadan is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (presently around September), commemorating the month when the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammed. Out of deference, Muslims neither eat or drink from sunset to sunrise, are devoted to prayer and avoid all 'worldly pleasures', including music and sex. At the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr or Korité), the fasting breaks amidst much celebration.

The Grand Magal pilgrimage and celebration is held 48 days after the Islamic New Year in the holy city of Touba. It commemorates the return from exile of Cheikh Amadou Bamba, the illustrious founder of the Mouride brotherhood, and attracts around 2 million devotees. Senegal is further known for the Dakar Rally, a 10,000km (6200mi) motor race that ends in Dakar around the second week of January.

Arts and music lovers are spoilt for choice, with a multitude of festivals vying for attention. Among the best are the Dak'Art Biennale, one of Africa's biggest arts festivals, which turns the city into one gigantic gallery; the annual Saint-Louis Jazz Festival, usually held in May; the Kay Fecc dance festival in June, and the carnival Ziguinchor. In 2008 expect a city packed to the rims, as Dakar holds the gigantic Festival Mondial des Arts Négres, planned to become of West Africa's biggest celebrations of music from Africa and the diaspora.

Public Holidays1 January - New Year's Day1 February - Confederation DayFebruary - TabaskiMarch or April - Good Friday, Easter Monday4 April - Independence DayMay or June - Ascension Day, Pentecost and Whit Monday1 May - May Day15 August - Assumption Day1 November - All Saints' DayNovember or December - 'Eid al-Fitr25 December - Christmas