1997 Holidays and Events in Benin

Additional Information	Date	Name
	1/1/1997, Wed	New Year's Day
Note A fete legale chomee et payee under Loi 90-019.
	1/10/1997, Fri	Traditional Religions Festival Eve
Note A fete legale. Introductory day of the modernised Traditional Religions Festival (Fete des Religions Traditionnelles) observance.
	1/10/1997, Fri	Traditional Religions Festival
Note A fete legale added by Loi 2024-32 du 2 septembre 2024. Also known as Vodoun Day / Fete des Religions Traditionnelles. Replaces the fixed 10 January date established by the now-repealed Loi 97-031/1997. Flagship celebration in Ouidah.
	2/9/1997, Sun	Eid al-Fitr (Korite)
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Fete de Korite / Eid al-Fitr). The dates for Islamic holidays typically are determined by local religious authorities based on moon sightings and may vary by + or - one day.
	3/30/1997, Sun	Easter
Note A Christian religious observance. Not a fete legale.
	3/31/1997, Mon	Easter Monday
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Lundi de Paques).
	4/18/1997, Fri	Eid al-Adha (Tabaski)
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Fete de Tabaski / Eid al-Adha, Islamic Dhu al-Hijjah 10 1447 AH). Date confirmed by Ministry of Labour communique. The dates for Islamic holidays typically are determined by local religious authorities based on moon sightings and may vary by + or - one day.
	5/1/1997, Thu	Labour Day
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Fete du Travail). International Workers' Day.
	5/8/1997, Thu	Ascension Day
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Ascension).
	5/19/1997, Mon	Whit Monday
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Lundi de Pentecote).
	7/18/1997, Fri	Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Maouloud)
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Maouloud / Mawlid al-Nabi, Islamic Rabi al-Awwal 12 1448 AH). Date confirmed by Ministry of Labour communique. The dates for Islamic holidays typically are determined by local religious authorities based on moon sightings and may vary by + or - one day.
	8/1/1997, Fri	Independence Day
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Fete Nationale). Commemorates Benin's independence from France on 1 August 1960.
	8/15/1997, Fri	Assumption of Mary
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Assomption). Catholic feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
	11/1/1997, Sat	All Saints' Day
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Toussaint). Catholic All Saints' Day.
	12/25/1997, Thu	Christmas Day
Note A fete legale chomee et payee (Noel). The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

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