Good Time to Visit
Weather
The weather in Somalia is hot, dry and harsh from December to March (the jilal), followed by the gu rainy period, which lasts until June. The dry hagga period (July to September) brings dry monsoon winds and dust clouds and is followed in October and November by the second rainy period (dayr). See Climate in Somalia for more information.
Visitors are advised to bring lightweight clothing, along with rainwear during the wet seasons.
Festivals
The main festivals in Somalia are those of the Islamic calendar, and are timed according to the various phases of the moon. Ramadan, the month of fasting, is among the most important. In rural areas the Dab-Shid (fire lighting) festival is held with bonfires, stick fights and dances. At other times, feasts may feature ritualistic and recreational dance, music and folk songs.
Public Holidays
The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Somalia:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day |
| 1 May | Labour Day |
| 26 June | Independence Day |
| 1 July | Foundation of the Republic |
| Variable* | Ashoura |
| Variable* | Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet) |
| Variable* | Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) |
| Variable* | Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) |
* Although Muslim holidays always fall on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date they are celebrated on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, due to the fact that the Islamic calendar is lunar whilst the Gregorian calendar is solar. Because this lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic holy days usually shift 11 days earlier each successive solar year. The method used to determine when each Islamic month begins also varies from country to country.