Burkina Faso has most recently adopted the 15th of May every year going forward as a national public holiday dedicated to celebrating traditional religious worship. This makes Burkina Faso one of the first, if not the first African country to do so.
In their words “Today, the Council of Ministers adopted a decree instituting the national “Day of Customs and Traditions”.
“As part of the promotion of our customs and traditions, His Excellency, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, instructed my department to adopt a “Day of Customs and Traditions”, after discussions with a number of ministerial departments and resource persons such as traditional chiefs.”
“From now on, every May 15 will be a day to commemorate our customs and traditions.
The aim of this day is not only to reaffirm the secular nature of the State, but also to allow this traditional religion, which had no place, to regain its place today.
On this day, it will also enable those who practice the traditional religion to flourish with the rest of the population. May 15 will be declared a public holiday.”
In view of the growing number of public holidays, the government has been instructed to consider a mechanism for reviewing all public holidays in Burkina Faso.
Another African country that celebrates a day for Traditional Worship is the Republic of Benin.
Ouidah Voodoo Festival
Each January, Benin holds a national celebration in honor of its traditional religion and the associated cults.
Considered a national religious holiday, this is one of the African celebrations which is dedicated to religion.
Experience ceremonies, sacrifices, songs, dances, and a large banquet when visiting Benin.
The festival has grown over the years, drawing people of African describe from across the world, including America, Brazil, and the Caribbean.
All these are an indication that Africans are finally beginning to trace and recognize their African roots. We African countries have commemorative holidays celebrating Christian religion and Islamic religion so it is only right that the Traditional Worshippers who actually depict the religion of our forefathers should also have their day.
Source: www.earthcenter.org , www.trafalgar.com ,
