When is Koriteh · Day 1?
In 2026, Koriteh · Day 1 falls on Thursday, March 19, 2026. It is classified here as a paid public holiday.
History of Koriteh · Day 1
Koriteh, The Gambia’s common name for Eid al-Fitr, marks the completion of Ramadan and the opening of Shawwal. The 2026 civil-holiday period began on March 19, while the Presidency explicitly left the exact religious feast day to the Supreme Islamic Council’s moon-sighting announcement. Separating the declared closure from the lunar feast avoids pretending that the first day off necessarily was 1 Shawwal.
After Ramadan, Muslims attend the Eid prayer, give zakat al-fitr before the prayer so people in need can share the feast, exchange forgiveness and visit relatives. Festive clothes, food and hospitality vary among Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Jola, Serahule and other communities and households; these labels describe a diverse national setting, not rigid or exclusive customs.
The Public Holidays Act authorises presidential appointment of Eid al-Fitr, and the March 18 State House notice declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026 as nationwide Koriteh holidays. The two-day period also follows the executive standardisation policy announced in 2021. The Labour Act 2023 recognises remuneration for public holidays and preserves a public holiday that falls during annual leave, but it does not by itself turn every named commemoration into a holiday. The 2021 presidential advisory says a Monday will be declared when a public holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday; because that wording anticipates a declaration, users should still check the dated State House notice rather than assume an automatic statutory substitute.
How Koriteh · Day 1 is observed
First declared Koriteh public holiday on Thursday, March 19, 2026; the Supreme Islamic Council determined the exact feast day by moon sighting.
Traditions of Koriteh · Day 1
Community practice
Muslim households may give zakat al-fitr, attend the morning Eid prayer, exchange greetings and serve meals after the month-long daytime fast.
Public or religious programme
The Supreme Islamic Council confirms the lunar timing, while mosques and prayer grounds announce their own prayer times, access and traffic arrangements.
Planning the holiday
The two-day 2026 closure supported family travel, but essential services and individual employers could maintain rosters under applicable rules.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official The Gambia official holiday calendar or legislation. Government, regional, school and employer schedules in The Gambia may differ; check the linked official source and current local notices before making time-sensitive plans.
History sources: Government of The Gambia: important dates and holidays, Office of the President: 2021 public-holiday standardisation advisory, National Assembly of The Gambia: Labour Act 2023, The Fatu Network: analysis of the Public Holidays Act, timeanddate.com: 2026 Gambia holiday cross-check, Office of the President: 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday declaration, Office of the President: 2026 Koriteh broadcast message.
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