Public Holidays

If there's one thing that Tanzania has a wealth of, it is public holidays.

Here in Tanzania, office life, schools and the general workplace grind to a halt at least 17 days of the year, as the nation recognises 17 days of public holidays. This is in contrast to the 8 days of public- or "bank"-  holidays officially acknowledged in England.

Last week, Esther, Ben, Joel and I returned from a very special and very happy visit to our family in England. We arrived in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday evening, pleased to be met by Andrew after our 3 weeks away.

 On Wednesday, we set out for the day's drive to Dodoma. I was anxious to get the children home and ready to start school again, as the children's new academic year began last Monday on August 5th. They had already missed 3 days of the new term, so I wanted them to settle back in quickly to get used to their new classes and new teachers. I already knew that Thursday would be one of the 17 Tanzanian public holidays, but fully expected Esther and Ben to attend school on Friday, to ease them gently in to their new term.

 Arriving back in Dodoma on Wednesday evening, our friends greeted us even more cheerfully than normal. I sensed a festive feel in the air. They quickly informed us that not only was Thursday a day off school for Nane Nane Day (marking the 8th day of the 8th month), but Friday would "probably" also be a day off! So we all had a 4 day weekend to look forward to, with these 2 days off school inside the very first week of the new academic year! Friday was expected to be the day of Eid, a Muslim public holiday marking the end of Ramadan, if the moon was found to be in the correct place on Thursday evening.

We waited on Thursday to hear the announcement and sure enough, Friday was declared another public holiday. We found ourselves in the happy situation of having an extended opportunity to unpack and get ready for the new routine of a new term, following the long 5-week school break. The children were delighted, Joel was pleased to have Esther and Ben around at home a little bit longer and I had extra time to get the house in order, school bags organised and do some home-baking to fill up school lunch-boxes!

 Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were happily chaotic, with welcome visits from many friends, neighbours and guests, popping by for a cuppa and natter as we caught up on each other's news. It can be lots of fun living on a compound! The children found plenty of friends and activities to busy themselves with as we settled back into our Dodoma home...

Now, a week later, we are adjusting to the rhythm of school and home life, getting into the swing of the 9-week term, which will finish in October- just in time for the next national public holiday! On October 14th, a day is set aside to celebrate the revered teacher and first president of independent Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. The following day will be another public holiday of Eid El Haji, giving us yet another 4-day weekend to look forward to. And it won't be long before the next public holiday creeps up on us- on Ben's birthday! As we celebrate Ben on December 9th, Tanzania will celebrate the anniversary of Independence and of becoming a Republic. By the time we finish celebrating Ben's birthday and organising a party for him, I may be in need of another holiday- so it's a good job the national holidays of Christmas and Boxing Day will be just around the corner!