Easter Monday in Zambia

Public holiday status and the law

Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism lists Easter Monday under “Public Holidays,” alongside Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The Public Holidays Act says the days in its Schedule are public holidays throughout Zambia and gives the Minister power to declare additional public holidays by statutory notice.[1][2]

Easter Monday is observed as a public holiday in Zambia. The Public Holidays Act’s Schedule names Good Friday and Holy Saturday, but does not name Easter Monday. Its substitute-day rule applies when a day named in the Schedule falls on a Sunday; Easter Monday itself is the Monday after Easter Sunday.[1][2][5]

Religious context

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. In Zambia, the Constitution declares the Republic a Christian nation while upholding each person’s right to freedom of conscience, belief or religion. That constitutional context helps explain the holiday’s place in the national calendar, but does not mean every resident observes it religiously.[4][5]

Observance and local customs

There is no single nationwide ceremony, meal, or regional custom for the day. Claims that particular foods or activities are typical across Zambia should therefore be treated cautiously unless supported by local evidence.[1]

Work and practical planning

The Employment Code Act allows the Minister to designate a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act as a paid public holiday. It also sets a pay rate for an employee who works on a public holiday that falls outside the employee’s normal working week. Employees should check their applicable employment terms and official notices.[3]

Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Check directly with the bank, shop or transport operator you plan to use for opening hours and service arrangements.[1]