Ceremonies and Holidays in Zambia

A list of National Holidays in Zambia when Government offices are closed:

January 1 -	New Year's Day
March 12 -	Youth Day
May 1 -	Labour Day
May 25-	Africa Freedom Day (anniversary of the OAU's Foundation)
July 2-	Heroes Day
July 3-	Unity Day
August 6 -	Farmers Day
October 24 -	Independence Day (National Day)

Note: December 26 - Boxing Day is no longer a holiday

A list of Religious Holidays in Zambia when Government offices are closed:

April 13-16 -	Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
December 25 -	Christmas Day

Other important days and festivals:

During N'CWALA festival, held on 24th February, the Paramount Chief of the Ngoni people of Eastern province commemorates the Ngoni's entrance into Zambia in 1835. Marked by feasts, music and some of the best dancing in the country, the ceremonies are held in Mutenguleni, 15 km (10 miles) south-west of Chipata.

During the KUOMBOKA Festival of the Lozi in the Western province, the Paramount Chief and his family paddle along canals from Lealui to their residence in Limulunga, where they wait out the rainy season.

In early March, anglers set their poles for the Zambia National Fishing Competition held on Lake Tanganyika.

The Livingstone Cultural Festival takes place in May and at the end of July, UMUTOMOBOKO is celebrated by the Lunda people of Luapala Province.

Zambia celebrates the anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on Africa Freedom Day (25 May)

In July, the LIKUMBI LYA MIZE is celebrated in North Western Province

In September/October on the weekend of the full moon SHIMUNENGA, a ceremony of the Ba-Ita people is celebrated at Maala on the Kafue Flats in Southern Province

The LWINDI Festival takes place in November in Southern Province.