Because over 95% of the population in Senegal identifies as Muslim, the majority of major Islamic holidays are observed by everyone and are considered official government holidays. Christmas and Easter are not known widely, but I’m told by my fellow volunteers who live with Christian families that they do observe and celebrate these.
Ramadan
As I write this, Ramadan or Soumaye, will begin shortly. Ramadan is a month of intermittent fasting from food and water, observed by Muslims the world over as a time to reflect and meditate on spiritual things. The tenet is observed by men, women and older teens who are ready to participate, though there doesn’t seem to be a certain age at which one should start. If someone is ill, pregnant, breastfeeding or elderly, they do not participate.
People rise early in the day, eating a meal before the sun comes up. They will then abstain from drinking or eating anything until the sun has set at around 7:30 pm, when they will eat their first meal of the evening. After the first meal, they will eat a second dinner a bit later, closer to midnight. As people have had low energy all day, the nights are lively and people like to stay up, talk and visit neighbors during the night.
Life is slower during Ramadan though professional services do not stop altogether. Kids go to school, though their teachers may or may not show up for afternoon classes, and the health post will remain open, though staff may be late or leave earlier than usual. People are generally more irritable and tired, and they take more time napping than they usually do.
