Easter Monday is a national holiday in Senegal, a country with a significant Christian population. The day follows Easter Sunday and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as told in the New Testament of the Bible. On this day, churches hold special services and processions. Furthermore, many families come together to share a festive meal, exchange gifts, and enjoy the day off work or school.
Easter is a movable feast in the Christian calendar, which means the date varies from year to year. It's scheduled to fall on the first Monday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. Despite having a majority Muslim population, Senegal, like most countries in West Africa, acknowledges and respects the rights of the minority Christian community to celebrate their holidays, making Easter Monday a national public holiday.
The national holiday of Easter Monday in Senegal is the end marker of the Holy Week, which starts on Palm Sunday and includes the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. People in Senegal commemorate the day with various religious and cultural activities. The holiday is especially important for the Christian community, as it is believed to be a time of renewal and rebirth, echoing the resurrection of Jesus. It marks the conclusion of the Lenten season - a period of fasting, penance, and prayer - and the beginning of the Easter season of joy and celebration.