Good Friday in Tanzania

Public holiday under Tanzanian law

The Public Holidays Act lists Good Friday in its schedule of public holidays and says that scheduled days are to be observed as public holidays every year. The Act does not assign the day a fixed calendar date. Its schedule also names Easter Monday, placing Good Friday within the Easter period in Tanzania’s official holiday calendar.[1]

The law does not guarantee that every workplace or public office will close. It expressly allows the head of a government department to open offices or works and require government employees to perform duties on a public holiday. The President may also declare a different day as a public holiday in addition to, or in substitution for, a scheduled holiday.[1]

The Bank of Tanzania includes Good Friday in its published public-holiday calendar. The Banking and Financial Institutions Act says that references to a bank holiday include a day that is a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.[2][3]

Meaning and religious observance

Good Friday commemorates the death of Jesus by crucifixion. In Christian observance, it is a day for remembering the Passion of Jesus and its meaning for salvation. The Public Holidays Act gives the day legal recognition in Tanzania.[1][4]

The Vatican’s account of the Good Friday liturgy describes three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, adoration of the Holy Cross and Holy Communion.[4]

What to expect for offices and services

Government department heads may open offices and require staff to work on the holiday. Good Friday appears in the Bank of Tanzania’s holiday calendar, and the banking law treats public holidays as bank holidays. Check opening hours with individual banks, shops, restaurants and transport operators before making plans.[1][2][3]

Check opening hours directly with the relevant office, bank, business or transport provider before making plans.