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1.3. NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

By Abuu ‘Imraan
What are National Festivals?

National Festivals are official recognized

days by the state whereby people cerebrate
important national events.
Examples of national festivals include
independence day, union day etc.
What are Public Holidays?

Public Holidays are days when almost

everyone in a particular country does not have
to go to work or school.
People always remember important historical
events which have taken place in the
development of the nation in these public
holidays.
TYPES OF NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

There are two types of national festivals

and public holidays. These are;-
i. Civic national festivals and holidays
ii. Religious national festivals and holidays
1. CIVIC NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

These are;-
1. Independence Day
This is held on 9th December every
year. It is because Tanganyika got her
independence on 9th December 1961
and later became republic on 9th
December 1962.
2. Revolution Day

Tanzanians cerebrate revolution day on 12th

January every year. This is because of the
overthrown of the sultan’s government on
12th January 1964.
3. Union Day

Tanzanians cerebrate union day on 26th April

every year. This is because on 26th April 1964
Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form the
United Republic of Tanzania under the
leadership of sheikh Abeid Amani Karume
and mwalimu Julius Kambarage nyerere.
4. Saba Saba Day

Saba saba Day is marked on 7th July every

year. In this day there is annual trade
exhibition whereby people from different
places in and outside the country
participate. Also this is the day when TANU
was formed on 07th July, 1954.
5. Farmers Day

This day is celebrated on 08th August every

year. It is also known as Nane Nane Day.
On this day farmers and traders exhibit
their agricultural products, farm implements
and machinery.
6. Nyerere Day

This is held on 14th October every year to

commemorate the death of first president
of Tanzania, Mwalimu J. K. Nyerere.
7. Karume Day

Karume Day is held on 07th April every

year, to remember the day when the first
president of Zanzibar Sheikh Abeid Amani
Karume was assassinated.
8. New Year

This holiday falls on the first day of January

every year to celebrate the start of a new
year. It is celebrated throughout the world.
9. May Day

The May Day is celebrated on the first day

of May every year to remember the efforts
and contributions of workers in the
economic and social development
worldwide. It is also called Labor Day.
2. RELIGIOUS NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

These are;-
1. Christmas and Boxing Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on 25th
December every year.
Boxing Day is marked on 26th December
every year.
2. Easter

Good Friday and Easter Monday usually

falls between March and April every year.
3. Maulid Day
Maulid Day falls on 12th Rabiul-Awal
every year according to Islamic calendar.
4. Eid-el-Fitr
Muslims celebrate this day at the end of
fasting during the holy month of
Ramadan.
5. Eid-el-Hajj
This is celebrated on 10th Dhul-Hajj
according to Islamic calendar.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND PUBLIC
HOLIDAYS

i. They mark important event in our country.

ii. They help to keep the history of our
country.
iii. They provide a chance for people to meet
and share their ideas, experience and
knowledge.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL FESTIVALS AND PUBLIC
HOLIDAYS

iv. They promote unity among Tanzanians

v. They promote social, political and
economic development
vi. They provide a chance for the leaders
to communicate with their citizens.
Exercise 3.

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct

information.
i. National festivals are days when we
celebrate ____________
ii. ________ are days when most
offices and businesses are closed.
Exercise 3.

iii. There are two types of national festivals

and holidays. These are ____ and ____
iv. Tanganyika and Zanzibar united on ___
to form the United Republic of
Tanzania. This day is called _______
Exercise 3.

v. On _____ Day, farmers and traders

exhibit their agricultural products,
implements and machineries.
vi. Tanzanians don’t go to work on 14th
October each year because we mark the
death of _____. This day is called ______
Exercise 3.

vii. Tanganyika became a republic on ____

viii. _____ is a public holiday because Muslims
mark the end of fasting during the holy
month of Ramadan.
ix. ______ and ______ are national holidays
which are also international holidays.
Exercise 3.

x. On 07th April each year, Tanzanians

remember the assassination of
_________. This day is called _______
 ___ End __

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