Day of Lament in Ethiopia

Date and place in the calendar

The date associated with the Day of Lament is March 28. The Victorian Government profile lists it among significant dates for Ethiopia, alongside Adwa Victory Day, May Day and Ethiopian Patriots’ Victory Day.[1]

What the public-holidays law says

Ethiopia’s Proclamation No. 1334/2024 defines public holidays as national or religious holidays prescribed in the law. It lists four celebrated national holidays, two memorial national holidays, and religious holidays. Day of Lament is not named in those lists.[2]

The proclamation says government and non-government institutions close for public service on the celebrated national and religious holidays it identifies. It says institutions remain open on its two memorial national holidays: Ethiopian Martyrs’ Day on February 20 and Ethiopian National Unity Day on December 9.[2] The proclamation describes Ethiopian Martyrs’ Day as commemorating Ethiopians killed by the Fascist Italian army, but does not identify it as the Day of Lament.[2]

The law also names services that continue on celebrated national and religious holidays, including public transport, health services and basic utilities. It allows certain other businesses, including shops, hotels and restaurants, to operate.[2] Since Day of Lament is not listed in the proclamation’s holiday categories, those provisions do not establish a closure pattern for March 28. The text reviewed does not set a substitute day for this observance.[2]

Meaning, observance and planning

The Day of Lament’s origin, the event or people it remembers, and whether it is connected to the Red Terror or the Tigray conflict are unclear. Ceremonies, prayer practices, food, regional differences and annual public events for this date are also unclear. Do not assume these details from the holiday’s name.[1][2]

For residents and travellers, treat March 28 as a listed date of significance, while checking directly with workplaces, schools, banks, shops and transport providers before relying on closures or changed hours. The calendar classifies the day as public, but the legal proclamation does not list it among its national or religious public holidays.[1][2]