Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in South Sudan

A public holiday in South Sudan

The Ministry of Labour’s 2022 public holidays calendar includes Eid al-Adha among the country’s full holidays. It lists a four-calendar-day observance and says the dates of Muslim holidays are determined by the Muslim calendar. Check Ministry notices for the official dates and duration in a particular year.[1]

Under the Labour Act, public holidays are observed on calendar days. Employees are entitled to paid leave on days the Ministry declares public holidays. An employee required to work on one is entitled to either twice their regular hourly rate for the hours worked or one day of paid leave as compensation.[2]

Meaning and observance

South Sudan’s official calendar describes Eid al-Adha as a Muslim sacrificial festivity marking the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.[1] More broadly, the sacrifice is associated with the story of Prophet Ibrahim and is an Islamic rite.[3]

The official sources consulted establish the holiday’s place in South Sudan’s calendar and its religious meaning, but do not document particular local prayer arrangements, foods, or regional customs. This account therefore does not assign a single set of practices to Muslim communities across the country.[1][3]

Planning around the holiday

The Labour Act establishes leave rights for employees. Check directly with banks, schools, shops or transport services about their hours, and look for Ministry of Labour notices about the holiday period.[1][2]