Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Benin

Legal status in Benin

Benin’s Law No. 90-019 lists the “Jour de la Tabaski” among the legal holidays observed throughout the country. Its second article says legal holidays are “chômées et payées,” meaning they are non-working and paid. The law does not specify separate eligibility rules for individual groups of workers.[1]

The Ministry of Labour and Public Service has also issued a Tabaski notice describing the holiday as a day declared “fériée, chômée et payée.” This reflects the national holiday’s practical status, while the specific date is announced for each observance.[2]

The law gives no substitute-day arrangement for Tabaski when it falls on a weekend. Check official announcements for the date being observed.[1]

Meaning and timing

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, recalls the account of Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son. In Islamic tradition, God provided a ram instead, and the feast is linked with the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.[3]

The observance begins on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Since that calendar is lunar, the corresponding Gregorian date shifts from year to year; Benin’s law names the holiday but does not give a fixed Gregorian date.[1][3]

Planning for the holiday

The legal holiday applies throughout Benin, so residents and visitors should allow for changes to normal work arrangements. The law establishes the non-working and paid status of legal holidays, but it does not specify opening hours for banks, shops, private businesses or transport services.[1]

For a practical plan, confirm any appointment or service directly with the office or provider. Benin’s labour ministry has published date-specific Tabaski notices, so official announcements can help confirm the day’s designation; the law itself does not promise that every private service will close or follow the same schedule.[1][2]

No Benin-specific regional customs, foods or public events are established by the cited legal and official sources. Practices within families and communities should not be assumed from the holiday’s name or legal status; follow a host’s guidance if invited to join a gathering.[1][3]