Gambia • March 20, 2026 • Friday
Also known as: Koriteh
Koriteh, walla Eid al-Fitr niko ñu bari xame ci àdduna bi, bés bu mag la ci biir réewu Gambia. Day màndargal jéexitalu weeru koor gu sell gi (Ramadan), bés la boone réew mi mépp danuy bég, di sant Yalla, te di gëna dëgëral jokkoo bi ci biir njaboot gi ak mbooloo mi. Ci Gambia, mbooloo mu bari (paxas mu weesu 95%) ay jullit lañu, loolu moo tax Koriteh nekk bés bu am solo lool ci wàllu diine, aada, ak dundinu nit ñi.
Liy def bés bi mu nekk bés bu sori ci xol yi, du rekk ne dagnuy jéexal koor, waaye dagnuy màndargal jéexitalu ay bés yu bari yoone nit ñi dagnu doon sàkku ngërëmul Yalla, di jaamu, di jàng Alxuraan, te di joxe sàrax. Ci Gambia, "Koriteh" du rekk bésu lekk ak naan, waaye bésu balante àkkar la, bésu raxas xol yi, ak bésu nekk benn. Féex gu rëy day nekk ci dëkk yi, niki Banjul, Serekunda, walla Brikama, ba ci dëkk-dëkk yi nekk ci biir réew mi.
Ci bés bi, xale yi ak mag yi danuy sol seeni yeré yu bees te rafet (yoone dagnu koy ñaw loo ci tayeer yi), nekk ci mbedd yi di nuyoonte. Xale yi dagnuy bég lool ndax dagnuy am li ñuy woowe "Salibo," maanaam xaalis bu ñu leen di jox ngir bégal leen ci bésu fête bi. Loolu yépp day nekk ci biir wàllu "Teranga" bi nga xame ne Gambia la dëkk, di réewum "Smiling Coast of Africa."
Ci atum 2026, bésu Koriteh bi dagnu koy xaar ci:
Bés bi: Friday Taariix bi: March 20, 2026 Des na: 76 fan ngir bés bi jot.
Solo na ñu xam ne bésu Koriteh bi ci Gambia, niki yeneen réewu jullit yi, day dëppoo ak gisu weer wi. Loolu moo tax bés bi mën na soppiku am mën na wéy ba benn walla ñaari fan ci kanam, dëppoo ak ni mbooloo mi (Gambia Supreme Islamic Council) di ko dëggale su ñu gisee weer wi ci ginaaw koor gi. Ngir atum 2026, yaakaar nañu ne Friday bi dina nekk bésu bégte bi, waaye dagnu wara tàmbali di seetu weer wi ci fajaru March 20, 2026.
Koriteh walla Eid al-Fitr, dagnu koy màkkal ngir jéexitalu Ramadan, weeru fukk ak juroom ñattel ci kàlandariyo Hijri bi. Sunu pofet Muhamma (PSL) moo tàmbali xew-xew bi ci atum 624 ginaaw bimu nekkee ci dëkkub Madinah, ginaaw xareb Badr. Ci jullit yi, bés bi bésu sant la ndax Yalla may na leen kàttan ñu mën a woor weer wi mépp, di sàkku ngërëmam.
Ci Gambia, diine Lislaam am na fa taariix bu sori. Loolu moo tax mbooleem aada yi ci Koriteh dagnu jaxasoo ak dundinu Gambian yi. Ba ñu tàmbali weeru koor, nit ñi dagnuy sàkku "Sawm" (koor), "Salat" (julli), ak "Zakat" (sàrax). Koriteh moo nekk pay gi ci wàllu xol ak ruu.
Su fekkee ne ya ngi Gambia ci bésu Koriteh, am na yenn yoone nga wara xam ngir mën a bokk ci bégte bi ci anam bu rafet:
Solu gu rafet: Su fekkee dagnu la invité ci kër walla nga bëgg dem julli bi, fexeel nga sol yeré yu rafet te suturaal sa yaram (cover shoulders and knees). Hospitality (Teranga): Gambian yi dagnu am xol bu yaatu. Bu ñu la invité ngir bokk ñam, nangu ko ak bégte. Loolu mooy anam bi gëna neex ngir xam aaday réew mi. Nuyoo: Mën nga wax "Eid Mubarak" walla ci Wolof "Dewenati" (maanaam Yalla na ñu ko fekke ay yooni yoon). Loolu day neex Gambian yi lool. Ubbite: Mosques yi ak praying grounds yi dagnuy fees dell ci suba. Su fekkee danga bëgg a seetu, fexeel nga nekk sori ndax nit ñi mën a julli ci jàmm.
Ci bésu Koriteh bi, Gambia mépp day nopi ci wàllu liggéey waaye day bég ci wàllu dund: Offices ak Schools: Mbooleem birooy nguur gi, ekool yi, ak liggéeyukaay yu bari dagnuy tëju. Banks: Dagnuy tëju ci bés bi, waaye ATM yi dagnuy liggéey. Fexeel nga am xaalis balaa bés bi jot. Markets: Ci suba bés bi, lu bari mën na tëju, waaye ginaaw midi, yenn butik yi mën nañu ubbiku. Waaye, balaa Koriteh jot (few days before), marse yi (niki Albert Market ci Banjul) dagnuy fees dell, nit ñi di jand yeré ak ñam. Transport: Otowu mbooloo (Gelli-gelli) yi mën nañu néew ci suba bi, waaye dagnuy bari ginaaw bi nit ñi tàmbalé ganeelante.
Koriteh nekkul rekk bésu diine, waaye bés la boone day tax réew mi nekk benn. Gambia réew la boone jullit yi ak kiritien yi dagnuy dundu ci jàmm. Ci bésu Koriteh, dagnuy gis kiritien yu bari ñu nekk ak seeni xarit yu jullit di bégandoo. Loolu mooy li def Gambia réew mu sori ci jàmm ak coofel.
Ci atum 2026, bésu Koriteh bi (March 20, 2026) dina nekk bés bu am solo ndax day dëppoo ak jamono bi jawwu bi neexee ci Gambia (dry season). Taw bi du nekk fa, loolu day tax nit ñi mën a génn, dem ci mbedd yi, ak ci tefess yi ngir bég.
Nguuru Gambia day joxe bés bi niki "Public Holiday." Ci atum 2026, ginaaw Friday bi nga xame ne mooy bésu Koriteh bi, mën na am yeneen bés yu ñu yokk ngir nit ñi mën a liggéeyu (niki Saturday, March 21). Loolu day may nit ñi ñu mën a voyager dem ci seeni dëkk ngir fekke fête bi ak seeni waajur.
Ci tënk, Koriteh ci Gambia bésu mbékté la, bésu sàrax, ak bésu gërëm Yalla. Su fekkee ya ngi ci réew mi ci March 20, 2026, 2026, danga am amaana fekke benn ci xew-xew yu gëna rafet ci Afrig gu Sowwu.
Dewenati ci mbooleem Gambian yi ak ñi fa dëkk ci 2026!
Common questions about Eid al-Fitr in Gambia
In The Gambia, Koriteh is scheduled to be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026. As of today, there are 76 days remaining until the festivities begin. It is important to note that the exact date of the holiday depends on the physical sighting of the lunar crescent moon at the end of Ramadan, which means the date may shift by a day or two depending on the religious announcements made by the local authorities near the end of the fasting month.
Yes, Eid al-Fitr, locally known as Koriteh, is a major public holiday in The Gambia. In 2026, the government has designated March 20, 2026 as a public holiday, with an additional holiday extension on Saturday, March 21. During this period, government offices, schools, and most private businesses are closed. While essential services and some banks may operate with limited hours, residents and visitors are advised to complete their shopping and administrative tasks before the holiday begins.
Koriteh marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection. For the predominantly Muslim population of Gambia, it is a 'Festival of Breaking the Fast' that celebrates the successful completion of one of the five pillars of Islam. The holiday emphasizes community joy, spiritual renewal, and gratitude to Allah. It is a time for forgiveness and peace, commemorating a tradition that dates back to 624 CE.
The celebration begins with special Eid prayers, known as Salat al-Eid, held in large open spaces or mosques during the morning. Before heading to prayer, it is customary to eat something sweet and recite the takbeer. Gambians dress in their finest new clothes and gather with family and friends. After the prayers and a sermon by the Imam, families return home to enjoy large communal feasts, exchange greetings, and visit relatives to strengthen community bonds.
Charity is a fundamental part of Koriteh in The Gambia. Before the Eid prayers commence, Muslims are required to give Zakat al-Fitr, which is a specific form of charity intended for the poor and needy. This ensures that everyone in the community, regardless of their financial status, has the means to enjoy a meal and participate in the festivities. This practice highlights the Gambian spirit of 'Teranga' (hospitality) and communal support.
Visitors should expect a significant slowdown in commercial activity. Since Koriteh is a time for family and religious observance, most shops in Banjul and other urban centers will be closed on March 20, 2026. Public transport may be less frequent as drivers take time off to be with their families. It is recommended to stock up on essentials and food a few days in advance, as markets become very busy and then close during the peak of the holiday.
Non-Muslims are welcome to observe the festive atmosphere and are often invited by Gambian friends to join family feasts. If you are invited, it is a wonderful opportunity to experience Gambian hospitality. Visitors should dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially when near prayer grounds or mosques. While the atmosphere is joyful, it is important to remain respectful of the religious nature of the day. Since the weather in 2026 will be hot and dry, staying hydrated is essential while exploring.
Food is central to the Koriteh celebrations in The Gambia. Families prepare elaborate traditional dishes, often featuring rice, lamb, beef, or chicken. Popular dishes include Benachin (one-pot rice), Domoda (peanut stew), or Yassa (onion and lemon-based dish). Many households also prepare local snacks and sweet drinks to share with visitors. Sharing a bowl is a common practice, symbolizing unity and the shared joy of the community after a month of sacrifice.
Eid al-Fitr dates in Gambia from 2015 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday | March 30, 2025 |
| 2024 | Wednesday | April 10, 2024 |
| 2023 | Friday | April 21, 2023 |
| 2022 | Monday | May 2, 2022 |
| 2021 | Thursday | May 13, 2021 |
| 2020 | Saturday | May 23, 2020 |
| 2019 | Tuesday | June 4, 2019 |
| 2018 | Friday | June 15, 2018 |
| 2017 | Monday | June 26, 2017 |
| 2016 | Thursday | July 7, 2016 |
| 2015 | Saturday | July 18, 2015 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.